Mildura’s YMCA Youth Parliament team doing Sunraysia proud

Published on 19 June 2017

2017 Youth Parliament team cropped.jpg

Mildura’s YMCA Youth Parliament team has chosen to tackle one of the biggest issues facing young people today as part of the team’s entry in this year’s competition.

The YMCA Youth Parliament program will see the Mildura team research and develop a Bill, which they’ll debate in the Victorian Parliament over three days next month, competing against 19 other teams from across Victoria.

The Mildura team, made up of Emma Ash, Emma Golding, Raihana Hashimi, Hadisa Hussaini, Bethany Simpson and Phoebe Wilson, has chosen ‘taking on mental health in secondary schools’ as its Bill, which will focus on implementing an early intervention program in secondary schools.

The Bill outlines initiatives including mandatory one-on-one sessions with a health professional for every student in Years 10 to 12, and aims to reduce the stigma attached to people seeking help for mental health issues, as well as providing additional support for young people in the wake of alarming statistics surrounding mental illness.

Mildura Rural City Councillor for Community Development Min Poole said Sunraysia residents should be proud of their Youth Parliament representatives for addressing one of the biggest challenges facing the community.

“Our six team members have illustrated they’re in touch with their community and the major issues impacting on young people by addressing mental health,” Cr Poole said.

“Their Bill, which aims to introduce an early intervention program into secondary schools, is a fantastic concept that promises to provide real benefits for young people.”

As part of this year’s program, the Mildura team has received training in Parliamentary etiquette, public speaking, speaking to the media, debating, teamwork and leadership during a three-day training camp late last month.

This will ensure teams are prepared to debate and support their Bill at the highest levels of State Government during three days in the Legislative Chambers of Parliament House in the first week of July.

In addition to representing Mildura to the highest standard amongst 19 other areas, Sunraysia team members Emma Golding and Phoebe Wilson have gone even further, being elected Chamber Leader and Deputy Chamber Leader respectively.

“This is a huge honour and we can’t wait to see Emma have the opportunity to control the Chamber next month,” Cr Poole said.

Sunraysia residents can support their Youth Parliament team by following their Mildura Youth Parliament Team 2017 Facebook page. 

For more information contact Council’s Youth Development Officer on (03) 5018 8100.

 

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au

 

 

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