Members Statement: Yuroke Youth Advisory Council 2016

Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) — Last week I had the pleasure of welcoming new and returning members of the Yuroke Youth Advisory Council for the first meeting of 2016. I established the council last year to give local youth the opportunity to learn more about government and act as a voice for their peers. At this meeting members nominated by secondary schools across the electorate provided detailed and considered analysis of what they feel are the biggest issues concerning young people in our local community. These included mental health, substance abuse, graffiti, poor behaviour on our roads and various forms of violence, including family violence. With increasing advocacy on violence prevention through initiatives such as White Ribbon Day, council members decided this year to work towards raising further awareness at a local level and supporting change in community attitudes. I look forward to working with the council throughout 2016, and I hope all participants find it a valuable experience.