26 February 2020
Bullying, career opportunities for young people, community
safety, mental illness and youth inclusion were some of the
leading issues raised at the recent Blacktown City Council
Youth Forum.
More than 100 students representing 10 schools from across
Blacktown City attended the special Youth Forum where
young people were given the opportunity to address Council
and play a part in shaping the City’s future.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdle OAM said: “I am
delighted to see so many young people passionately
express themselves, and give us their ideas about this City.
“These are our future leaders and we are all impressed with
the confidence the students presented in the Council
Chambers. They are an outstanding group of people.”
The Forum also highlighted increased student awareness
and acceptance of the gay and lesbian community in
western Sydney, a heightened awareness of the local
environment, the impact of family violence and how to deal
with crime in the area.
Students called on Council to host a mental first aid course
in schools, organise pride events such as the Mardi Gras in
Western Sydney, and to nominate a ‘graffiti art wall’ to
enable young people to express themselves artistically.
“The youth forum has proved to be a fantastic opportunity for
us as community leaders to hear directly from young people
what’s important to them and what challenges they face in
their lives,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“It was also great to see the students work together in
different groups and address Councillors and Council’s
executive staff. The students were articulate, intelligent and
passionate in putting across their views,” Mayor Bleasdale
said.
Blacktown’s Youth Ambassador Evan Ademovic encouraged
young people to grab opportunities and get involved in youth
programs in the community. “If we want to be heard we need
to take advantage of opportunities in the community,” he
said.
The value of the Forum was summed up by Blacktown City’s
second Youth Ambassador, Ebony O’Connor.
She said: “We as young people have been handed a
troubled world environmentally and politically and it’s time for
us to lead the way to make this world what we want.”
The Australian Catholic University will shortly open its
information centre in Blacktown ahead of its first student
intake to its Blacktown campus next year.
ACU’s future Students Coordinator, Jack Tropea, addressed
the Youth Forum and said later, “It was a great forum and the
students appeared genuinely excited by the prospect of
attending university so close to home.”
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