The City’s Junior Council program resumed on Thursday 23 July 2020, with 67 local students enjoying the opportunity to step foot inside Council Chambers for the first time in a leadership capacity.
The Junior Council program was initially meant to begin in early 2020, however, the difficulties posed by COVID-19 forced the young councillors to wait until it was safe to start again.
Since beginning in 1989 with 12 students, the Junior Council program has grown into a key youth development project at the City that involves students from a variety of local primary schools and young people from alternative education settings.
This year the program will run from July to December, with students set to elect a Junior Mayor and Junior Deputy Mayor in August.
Meetings involve young people developing and debating their own motions. Carried motions are provided to Council as recommendations via the Council Information Bulletin.
The City’s Councillors also attend Junior Council meetings to meet with the students, answer questions and learn more about their aspirations.
“Junior Council has been designed to provide opportunities for young people aged 11/12 years to voice their opinions, ideas and concerns to the City and other decision making bodies,” City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said.
“The program gives junior councillors the chance to gain experience, knowledge and information on the Local Government decision-making process and to have input into decisions that directly affect young people in Rockingham.
“These students are the future of our community and the City is excited to see them develop their leadership skills throughout the program.”
Thirty local schools are involved along with three home schooled students. Schools involved in the Junior Council program are listed as follows:
Baldivis Primary School |
Bungaree Primary School |
Charthouse Primary School |
Cooloongup Primary School |
Comet Bay Primary |
Endeavour Schools |
East Waikiki Primary School |
Hillman Primary School |
Golden Bay Primary |
Koorana Primary School |
Living Waters Lutheran College |
Rivergums Primary School |
Makybe Rise Primary |
Rockingham Beach Primary School |
Mother Teresa Catholic College |
Rockingham Lakes Primary |
Port Kennedy Primary |
Rockingham Montessori |
Safety Bay Primary |
Secret Harbour Primary |
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary |
Settlers Hills Primary School |
Star of The Sea Catholic Primary |
Singleton Primary School |
Tuart Rise Primary |
South Coast Baptist College |
Waikiki Primary School |
Tranby College |
Baldivis Gardens Primary |
Warnbro Primary School |