Indigo Shire lost important voices and a pathway for future leaders when it axed its junior council, believes Frances Walsh, who was instrumental in starting the youth group.
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The former Indigo councillor, deputy mayor and Order of Australia Medal recipient said it was unfortunate council had “pulled the pin” on the 14-year program.
“I was very disappointed to hear it because in my view it was a great project,” Cr Walsh said.
“We had seven kids to start with, last year we had every school represented, all 16 schools in the shire.
“It gave them a great chance of leadership, those children came together and do fundraising for Indigo Atauro as well as for their own school.”
Ms Walsh said she had expressed her unhappiness to council.
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In December Indigo Council revamped youth engagement in the shire to engage a wider range of residents, replacing the junior council with an annual youth summit.
The summit will involve two forums one with school children and one with 18- to 22-year-olds.
Council also announced a resident under-25 would be included on each of the advisory committees.
Cr Walsh said it was a sad end to the initiative, which had born many great ideas to benefit the shire and beyond.
She credits the youth council with the creation of the Indigo Atauro program.
“They said we’re only looking after ourselves and we should look after others,” Cr Walsh recalled.
Since the junior council suggestion, promoted by a parent, the partnership has provided about 20 composting toilets, had eight scholarships students graduate, with six more underway and provided money to kindergartners.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
