Junior Leaders Step Forward to Represent Their Community
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The City of Rockingham’s Junior Council program is now into its 36th year, and the latest crop of young leaders are stepping up to share their vision for the community. Students from 22 local schools and alternative education settings are involved in the 2023 program.
The Junior Council is led by two Junior Mayors in Jethro Jacobs (East Waikiki Primary School) and Willow Cargill (Sheoak Grove Primary School). There are also two Junior Deputy Mayors including Heraina Vaka (Baldivis Primary School) and Noah Heart (Makybe Rise Primary School).
The program provides students with an in-depth understanding of how local government works, and gives them a chance to stand up as young leaders. The Junior Council meets once a month, with students able to debate and vote on agenda items in the same way the City’s full Council operates.
Junior Mayor Jethro Jacobs said he got involved in the program to “make a difference in the world no matter how small and to help less fortunate people.”
Fellow Junior Mayor Willow Cargil said it sounded like it would be a “fun experience” that enabled her to connect with students from other schools, while Noah Heart said he hoped “to make the City of Rockingham a better place for all different types of people.”
Mayor Deb Hamblin said providing opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills through Junior Council was a key part of the City’s Strategy for Children and Young People 2018 – 2023.
“Young people are the future of our community and the City wants to actively engage with them so they have the opportunity to become the leaders of tomorrow,” Mayor Hamblin said.
Junior Council has provided students with the chance to do this since 1987, and the City is incredibly proud of the enduring contribution that this leadership program has made.“This year’s Junior Council are an incredibly talented group of young people and the City hopes that one day they will have the desire to stand for Council as an adult and make a tangible difference for their community.”
Visit Young People for more information on the events, programs and opportunities provided by the City.
Image (L-R): Deputy Mayor Noah Heart (Makybe Rise PS), Junior Mayor Willow Cargill (Sheoak Grove PS), Mayor Deb Hamblin, Junior Mayor Jethro Jacobs (East Waikiki PS), and Junior Deputy Mayor Heraina Vaka (Baldivis PS). Picture: City of Rockingham.