There aren’t many 18-year-olds around who would seriously consider running for council.
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But Maitland Grossmann High school captain Zac Baylis looks at it as a chance to play an active role in helping his community.
The year 12 student says he is seriously considering a tilt at a spot on Maitland City Council, to represent the region’s youth.
He was one of more than 100 students who attended the annual Local Government Week breakfast with Maitland City Council staff and councillors on Wednesday.
The event was a chance for young citizens to rub shoulders with the city’s leaders and learn more about life on council.
“I’d like to see, especially being from the younger element of the community, how I could bring their voice to the council and voice their issues,” Mr Baylis said.
“It’s something I’ve thought about for a long time.
“I think some people find more of a sense of responsibility and would find it rewarding. I definitely think we should have more young people on council – not just council but in state and Federal Parliament.”
Deputy mayor Cr Loretta Baker said the local government sector needed the fresh ideas and input of youth, but most young people did not seriously consider running for council.
Being an elected council representative could be difficult, she said, in that councillors also needed to have a job to earn a living, despite the pay they got for their civic duties.
But Cr Baker said the role was rewarding.
“I think there are too many competing interests and I don’t think they think it’s very exciting,” she said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding. It can be heavy going at times, but that’s the job.
“I think young people, they are interested in thinking about what they will study and getting their degrees.”
Twenty three schools, from Maitland, Metford, Rutherford, Lochinvar, Largs and beyond, took part in the Maitland Local Government Week breakfast.
The theme of this year’s celebrations, Active All Areas, focuses on the need for councils to engage with various age, racial and cultural groups in their local government area.