Junior mayor Sienna Koop

KINGSTON youngsters can run for a Junior Council thanks to a partnership between the Chelsea Rotary Club and Kingston Council.

The mayor Cr Steve Staikos said the Junior Council will be an extension of the highly successful Junior Mayor program which gives local grade six students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and learn about local democracy.

“Instead of just one student participating, the Junior Council will give nine young people a great opportunity to learn and grow,” Cr Staikos said.

Kingston’s Junior Mayor program has been running for over 50 years and is sponsored by the Chelsea Rotary Club.

“Each year, grade six students from a range of local primary students put forward a student to represent their school through a two-minute presentation. All the participating students then vote for a junior mayor,” Cr Staikos said.

“The junior mayor is then called on throughout the year to assist the mayor at a range of official council events.   

“Council is very proud to continue its long and unique tradition of electing a junior mayor but we’re keen to expand the program and get more students involved.

First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 4 April 2018