SCHOOL captains from across the Frankston region have teamed up to put together a plan for a youth expo in Frankston.
The young leaders have been meeting once a month for the “School Captain’s Conference of Frankston” chaired by youth mayor Gerard Felipe.
The aim of the monthly meetings is to improve relations between local schools and discuss ideas and issues relevant to young people in the area. One idea that has formed from the meetings has been the establishment of a youth expo.
The “Youth Mayor’s Stay Safe and Healthy Youth Expo” got a thumbs up from Frankston Council at their 19 November meeting.
A $3,500 budget was set for the event, to be held on 23 January, which would be conducted “in partnership with local youth service providers, VicRoads, Victoria Police, and Victoria Ambulance”. The approved motion said the event would “include information and activities to increase awareness, understanding and responses to cyber bullying, road safety, staying safe talks, alcohol and drugs presentations, [and] sport and recreation activities.”
Youth mayor Gerard Felipe said the success of the monthly meetings was a reflection on the quality of local students.
“When my term started as Youth Mayor, my number one priority was to focus on youth disengagement and with that in mind, I decided to create the School Captains Conference of Frankston to give young people a voice, and the opportunity for them to be more involved in their community,” he said.
“I’m very proud of the display of leadership, dedication and compassion our local school leaders have shown, and I have no doubt that the future is in really good hands.”
McClelland College, John Paul College, Frankston High School, Mount Erin College, Patterson River Secondary College, Elisabeth Murdoch College, and Woodleigh School are among those that have sent representatives to the monthly conference. 22 captains in total have made their voices heard at the meetings.
McClelland College captain Sara Riippa said “I think it’s a really good experience, I’ve got to meet a lot of new captains and hear about lots of different viewpoints and issues that’s been going on in Frankston that I didn’t know about before, so it’s made me more aware of the community.”
