Corio’s Farzana Hussaini has been elected as the City of Greater Geelong’s second Junior Mayor.
Farzana, 15, is one of three Windermere Ward youth councillors and was voted to become Junior Mayor by her fellow Youth Council members. Kardinia Ward representative Ashley Delaney, 15, is serving alongside Farzana as Junior Deputy Mayor.
Farzana is a Year 9 student at Northern Bay College and this is her first experience as a youth councillor. She said the skills she brings to the Youth Council are communication, being good at listening and critical and creative thinker.
The 12 young people, aged 12-17, were inducted to the Youth Council after their selection and will serve as an official ‘youth voice’ for City of Greater Geelong council. The other Windermere Ward junior councillors are Carmen MacLeod and Logan Chandler.
The Youth Council meets once a month at City Hall to discuss priorities including social and community connections, mental health and wellbeing, and capability; such as skill development, education and employment.
As Junior Mayor, Farzana will appear before the Council on a quarterly basis during 2020, to present the Youth Council’s findings and recommendations. Mayoral duties also include chairing all meetings, representing the Youth Council at official functions, and acting as the group’s spokesperson.
In 2019 the Junior Council successfully presented four reports to the Council, including recommendations for the City’s new Civic Precinct, and improvements to the region’s bike lanes and network.