Young Mayors Wollongong

The Youth Forum decides their priorities based on issues identified by young people in Wollongong.

The projects run by youth forums around the world have covered a range of issues, including: 

• Campaigns for mental health, LGBTIQ+ equality, poverty reduction, sustainability, safety and tourism
• Youth homelessness support projects
• Lowering the age of travel concessions
• New inclusive forum programs for young people with disabilities
• Forums that bring young people together with local, state, and federal decision makers
• New sports competitions, music programs, and art exhibitions

During the Term in Office, the Youth Forum will regularly consult with their constituents to make sure their work is meeting the needs of young people in the community. Consultation will happen in different ways, including through a mid-term Town Hall Meeting.

The Youth Forum meet once a fortnight. Meetings are 1.5 to 2 hours on a weekday after school.

As well as fortnightly meetings, Youth Forum may have the chance to go to WCC meetings and other events, which are decided as the Term in Office rolls out.

Youth Forum members are paid a quarterly stipend of $250 ($1000 across the Term in Office) to recognise that costs might come up as a part of being involved (eg. transport).

Food is provided for meetings with all dietary requirements catered to.

The Youth Forum has opportunities to meet with and provide recommendations to Wollongong City Forum members and the Mayor throughout their Term in Office.

What are the key dates?

• 01 August 2024: Youth Forum nominations open
• 08 September 2024: Youth Forum nominations close
• 20 September 2024: Final list of candidates confirmed
• Week of 23 September 2024 : Campaign period begins
• 16 October 2024: Campaigners will be introduced to the general community at the Meet the Candidates event 
• 04 – 15 November 2024: Wollongong Youth Forum Election Week
• 15 November 2024: Announcement of election results
• January / February 2025: Youth Forum induction
• February 2025 – August 2026: Youth Forum Term in Office

What suburbs and towns are in the Wollongong City Council area?
Check out a list of suburbs here and a map of the council area here.

Nominations for the Wollongong Youth Forum are open to young people aged between 12 and 17 years of age (at the time of application) living in the Wollongong City Council area.

You do not need to be an Australian citizen to nominate yourself.

Why can’t over 18s run for Youth Forum?
Australian citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to vote in local, state and federal elections, and can nominate themselves to run for election to represent their constituents at all levels (and we encourage you to consider it!)

If you’re over 18 and want to be involved in the Young Mayors program in other ways, get in touch!

We have paid opportunities available for young people to deliver presentations at schools, support other young people to nominate themselves, help coordinate Election Week, set up and manage voting centers, and count votes.

How many spots are there on the Youth Forum?
There will be 8 – 12 spots available on the Youth Forum. 

How is the campaign process managed to ensure it is respectful and equitable?
We are committed to this program being a safe, accessible opportunity for all young people.

All candidates are asked to sign a code of conduct when they nominate themselves to run for Youth Forum.

Candidates are given campaign support by FYA, and are not allowed to use any personal funds or seek donations (cash or in-kind) for their campaigns. We want to make sure all young people, regardless of privilege, are on an equal playing field.

Can candidates use social media to promote campaigns?
Social media can be used for campaigns as freely available tools for promotion. Candidates can not run cash advertising on social media platforms.

A comprehensive set of child safeguarding policies underpin all of FYA’s work. In addition, a well-being plan tailored to the program in Wollongong will be in place to ensure young people are using social media safely, with clear avenues for support should any incidents occur

Where and when will the election happen?
The election will be held over one week from 04 – 15 November 2024. Across the week, ballot boxes will be set up in high schools across the Wollongong region.

As well as schools, we’re interested in setting up ballot boxes in community spaces where young people visit, so that all young people aged 12-17 have the opportunity to vote; not just those who go to school. If you want to suggest a space, please get in touch.

How does voting work?
Voting will be optional preferential to replicate the state government voting system.. Young people, across the Wollongong LGA, aged 12-17 (inclusive) will be eligible to vote for the candidates running for election.

I won’t be at school during Election Week. How can I vote?
If you want your vote to count but your school isn’t participating in the program, you don’t go to school or you won’t be at school on the day the ballot boxes are there, please drop in to the Wollongong Youth Services, located at 85 Burelli St, Wollongong, to vote. 

How often and where will the Youth Forum meet, and what’s the time commitment?
The Youth Forum will meet once a fortnight, alternating between in-person meetings at the Wollongong Youth Centre, and online via zoom. Meetings will be 1.5 to 2 hours on a weekday after school (day of the week to be confirmed).

If any Youth Forum members can’t attend meetings because of transport, we’ll find a way to help – just let us know when you complete your nomination form.

As well as fortnightly meetings, the Youth Forum may have the chance to go to WCC meetings and other events, which will be decided as the Term in Office rolls out.

What type of projects and campaigns will the Wollongong Youth Forum run?
The Youth Forum will decide their priorities based on issues identified by young people in Wollongong.

The projects run by youth councils and forums around the world have covered a range of issues, including: 

• Campaigns for mental health, LGBTIQ+ equality, poverty reduction, sustainability, safety and tourism
• Youth homelessness support projects
• Lowering the age of travel concessions
• New inclusive council programs for young people with disabilities
• Forums that bring young people together with local, state, and federal decision makers
• New sports competitions, music programs, and art exhibitions

During the Term in Office, the Youth Forum will regularly consult with their constituents to make sure their work is meeting the needs of young people in the community. Consultation will happen in different ways, including through a mid-term Town Hall Meeting.

Does it cost anything to be involved? Will members be paid?
The program is completely free to participate in.

Youth Forum members will be paid a quarterly stipend of $250 ($1000 across the Term in Office) to recognise that costs might come up as a part of being involved (eg. transport). Food will be provided for meetings with all dietary requirements catered to.

Is the Young Mayors program a school activity?
No. Elections will be run at schools, but the Young Mayors program is not part of the curriculum.

Youth Forum runs outside of school time, but it’s best to let your school know you’ll be getting involved either as a candidate, or as an elected Forum member. A letter to your school can be provided on request. On occasion, Youth Forum members may have the chance to get involved in activities that run during school hours, with advanced notice.

Young people running for election will have access to workshops and mentoring to support their campaigns by Australia’s leading campaigners, journalists and civic leaders.

Candidates will also be given $100 to spend on campaign marketing materials and 10 t-shirts to design for their campaigns. To keep it equitable, candidates are not permitted to spend any other money or get in-kind support to advertise in their campaigns.

Once elected, the Youth Forum will do a thorough induction, have access to a constantly updated resource library, and will be supported by a staff member based in the Council area.

Youth Forum members will be paid a quarterly stipend of $250 ($1000 across the Term in Office) to recognise that costs might come up as a part of being involved (eg. transport).

What safeguarding is in place for young people in this program?
The Young Mayors program works with young people aged 12 to 17 years. We recognise this program puts young people in the public spotlight, and this can create vulnerabilities.

A well-being plan tailored to each community is developed at the beginning of the program, based on a thorough co-design process undertaken with each local government area.

The well-being plan includes, but is not limited to specific actions and support available to keep young people safe, processes to report harm, and clarity on expectations young people can have of each other, partners involved and the general public.

FYA and our partners are required to have Working With Childrens’ Checks and adhere to a comprehensive set of safeguarding policies and legislative requirements.

What inclusion and accessibility support is available?
We are working hard to make every part of the program as accessible to as many people as possible. This includes using wheelchair accessible venues, having the option to provide Auslan Interpreters for events, providing single and gender neutral bathrooms, creating social scripts and maintaining COVID safety. 

We are committed to supporting all access requirements and welcome suggestions for any access needs not covered here. Please email Erin Brindley (she/her) at tahlia.azaria@fya.org.au or call FYA on (03) 7046 3837 to book a time to chat.

During the nominations period, we’ll be coming to participating schools and community groups to tell you more about the Young Mayors program and how you can get involved. 

In the meantime, if you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, get in touch