Hindmarsh Shire Council is excited to announce the appointment of its 2017 Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council.

At its 15 March 2017 meeting, Council appointed the twelve Hindmarsh Youth Councillors for 2017:

West Ward (Nhill College)
Caroline Lee, Ku Say, Elena James and Nan Da San Bleh Dah

North Ward (Rainbow College)
Georgia Gelligen, Bridie O'Halloran, Aiden Gelligen and Jordan Leach

East Ward (Dimboola Memorial Secondary College)
Kynan Clarke, Venetia Kardogeros, Brittany Brooking and Danni Haebich

Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor Cr Debra Nelson said that three youth councillors were re-elected.

"Of the twelve appointed Youth Councillors, three were re-elected from 2016 meaning that we have nine new Youth Councillors looking forward to providing an impact on directions and activities on behalf of their fellow youth throughout the Shire.

"The selection of our Youth Councillors is always extremely difficult, with so many fantastic, talented nominees vying for a position on the Council. While all of us enjoy meeting nominees in the interview process, it is competitive and the selection process is a real challenge," she said.

"On behalf of Hindmarsh Shire Council I congratulate all selected Youth Councillors and thank those who were not successful this year for their nominations and interest in the Youth Council," Cr Nelson said.

The official launch of the 2017 Youth Council will take place on Wednesday 5 April 2017 while the annual Youth Council Retreat will be held over the weekend of May 12, 13 and 14.

Hindmarsh Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Greg Wood said that Council is excited to see these young people grow in their new roles.

"Council is extremely proud of these young people and is eagerly anticipating the initiatives and directions they take as youth leaders within the Shire," he said.

"The Youth Council now has a responsibility to talk to other young people from across the Shire and to gain their ideas and thoughts and turn them into positive outcomes for all young people."

Mr Wood also stressed that Council is fully supportive of the Youth Council and will assist Youth Councillors wherever possible to achieve their vision.

Initiatives implemented by previous Youth Councils include the running of Freeza events in Dimboola, Nhill and Rainbow, hosting of movie nights, assisting with Halloween events in Dimboola and the Nhill Lake Duck Races, school holiday activities, participation in Project Hindmarsh tree planting, Walk and Talk clean up in Rainbow and the introduction of condom vending machines throughout the Hindmarsh Shire.

The Youth Council was also successful in gaining a couple of grants for their initiatives, a mental health program at schools and the development of a brochure promoting family and youth activities in the Shire.

For more information regarding the Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council please contact Meg Hall, Youth and Early Years Officer on 5391 4444 or mhall@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.