Blue Mountains Youth Council

Junior Parliament 2015 was fantastic! Thank you to Blue Mountains City Council for sponsoring me to go - I had such a great time and learned so much about the state parliament process.

It was great to meet so many people my age who were interested in how NSW State Parliament works and I made some great friends. I was in the Sport and Recreation Committee and we debated ways to tackle NSW's child obesity levels by introducing compulsory sport into schools as a subject. Our bill was passed with amendments.

Junior Parliament is an amazing program and I strongly... Continue reading

Growing up in the Blue Mountains is such a unique, weird, and at times isolating experience. I moved here about 8 years ago from Canberra and the lifestyle in the Mountains was definitely quieter compared. The little memories I have of the place I grew up in Canberra consisted of burn-outs in the oval across the road, I think there was once a burnt car there too, and the playground was only accessible in the last year I was there as it was too dangerous. I only lived there till I was about 8 too and I find out a... Continue reading

My reasoning for joining youth council was to express my views and thoughts and to help others build and realise theirs, as well as acting as a representative of youth across the mountains. On top of all that, I wanted to become more involved in society and to gain skills which I'd otherwise won't be able to get elsewhere.

The youth council is also a rewarding experience, where I can meet people of differing views and opinions and undergo discussions on the topics which are related to us, and one which gives youth the power to build and pass matters... Continue reading

It's been really special to grow up in the mountains and around the bush and I have lots of memories and experiences of going for bush walks, finding caves and climbing across fallen trees. We were always playing outdoors and rarely wanted to come inside.

As a teenager I was beginning to think that it was a boring place to live, but after also joining the Youth Council I've realised all the different things and events to get involved in and that there actually is lots of things for us to do. I've been able to experience the mountains in... Continue reading

I remember playing in the bush and how exciting it was to explore the bush near my grandmother's house in Blaxland. I would look for animals (but avoid snakes), play hide and seek with the neighbours' kids, paint with clay on the rocks and generally walk along the paths. The best thing was to feel a part of the natural surroundings.

I also enjoyed going to the Blaxland East shops to buy lollies!

Sometimes I went with my grandmother to the Blaxland East Public School where she worked. There was a friendly and accepting community atmosphere there.

Going to high... Continue reading

I decided to join the Youth Council because I wanted to be able to have my own say about what happens in my community. When, most people my age don'thave the chance to do that. I think the Upper Blue Mountains in particular is a very loving and accepting community, no matter what your race, sexuality or gender is we are all accepted with open arms. And I think this is a good thing for youths of my age, especially when you get to that stage in your life when you are trying out all types of weird and wonderful... Continue reading

I have just returned home from a week of debating bills andamendments at YMCA NSW Youth Parliament. It was a fantastic week full of inspiration, important issues from our communities and fun. I furthered my knowledge from Junior Parliament last year and became more confident in public speaking and more informed of matters from all over NSW.

My committee, Rural and Regional Affairs, passed our bill on CoalRail Transportation, in both the Legislative Assembly and the LegislativeCouncil with very little opposition. We were all very happy and at the end of the week our committee won an award for innovation!

... Continue reading