Do you want to see the needs and perspectives of young people better represented in local government?
Have you ever considered nominating yourself to run for election in local government?
Did you know that elected members get paid for their work and training on how to do the job?

Local government impacts so many important things in the day-to-day lives of young people. They influence our parks, local roads, footpaths, sports and recreation facilities, youth centres, libraries, local events and festivals, community safety policies, local responses to homelessness, waste collection and recycling, local planning, and more.

In fact, decisions made by your local government probably impacts your daily life more than any other level of government!

However, young people are highly underrepresented as local council members. This means that the needs and views of young people are less considered when local councillors are making decisions. Check out your local government's website to see who represents you!

YOU CAN BE PART OF CHANGING THIS STORY!

The Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) is thrilled to partner with the Department of Local Government, Sports, and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) to bring you a youth forum especially designed for young people to give you the knowledge you need to know about nominating for your local council?

About the forum

This FREE information forum is for young people aged 18 to 29 who are either interested in running for local council or just want to find out more about what local government does.

At this interactive, youth-friendly event you will:

Find out what is involved in being a councillor, the types of issues local councillors talk about and what decisions they make
Explore how councillors manage their role as an elected member around work, study and family commitments
Learn about how to nominate for council
Brainstorm how to run a campaign and create your campaign message
Be mentored by current sitting councillors, some of whom are young people or were elected as young people
Get to ask questions from DLGSC

Get to hear from and ask questions from special guests:

Georgie Carey, Deputy Mayor of the Town of Mosman Park
Doug Jackson, Councillor from the Town of Peppermint Grove
James Rowe, Councillor from the City of Wanneroo

Why come along?

Find your people. Meet like-minded young people and leaders who share your passions and values
Be inspired. Follow in the footsteps of young people who’ve made a meaningful impact, without age and experience on their side
Get empowered. To develop the knowledge and skills run for council
$50 gift card door prize (for one lucky attendee)
Food and drinks will be provided
It is a great way to get no-nonsense, youth-friendly and accessible information about local government elections
The venue is fully accessible

Where do I get more information?

For more information on this workshop or the project, please contact Lianda Gibson on lianda@yacwa.org.au or Matthew on matthewc@yacwa.org.au or phone 08 9227 5440.

To find out more about nominating for local government, you can visit DLGSC's website here.

YACWA is hosting youth-friendly information about both nominating as candidate and voting in local government elections on our Voting Party website here and through our Instagram.

If you can't attend this forum, we will be hosting another at the Herb Graham Recreation Centre in Mirrabooka on the evening of Thursday 1st August (book here), and another in Mandurah on the evening of Wednesday 16th August (book here).

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

So what are you waiting for? Take your first step towards making a difference. We will see you at the forum!