One mayoral race for Wollongong is done - but another is just heating up

Local government elections may be done and dusted, but some young guns still want your vote.

The Young Mayor for Wollongong will be announced this week, along with Wollongong’s second Youth Forum.

Elected by their peers, young council members aged from 11 to 17 will serve a 12- to 24-month term working with the council to implement projects and events and influence decisions that impact their community.

Voting will take place in schools, community and neighbourhood centres as well as the Wollongong Youth Centre located at 85 Burelli Street Wollongong.

There are 15 candidates up for election in Wollongong this year.

One of them is deputy head prefect at The Illawarra Grammar School, Alyssa Jeffries.

Alyssa served as the Heathcote representative on the first Wollongong Youth Forum and has had a passion for politics since primary school.

“My family is always debating at the dinner table and I was always really engaged by that,” she said.

“In primary school I started going to justice seminars on modern slavery; I’ve always been involved in debating and public speaking and watching the news and current affairs.

“I’ve been to sustainability summits, national days against domestic and family violence, and try to get involved in our local area wherever I can.

“I really like having the ability to make a difference.”

Alyssa believes the Youth Forum program gives a voice to people too young to vote in local government elections.

“We speak a lot about the importance of representing different groups in a democracy, and young people’s voices are often overlooked,” she said.

“It’s important young people are heard and have a say in the decisions that will affect us.

“Token representation isn’t good enough; I want to make sure my voice, and the voices of other young people are heard.”

Juggling HSC studies and political commitments is no mean feat, but Alyssa said it’s all worth it.

In the future she hopes to dedicate herself to advocacy full-time.

In the meantime, being elected as Young Mayor would give her the opportunity to develop her skills while she does something she cares about.

“A lot of advocates I meet with and work with it’s their full-time job; they’re so passionate and able to make meaningful, impactful changes,” she said.

“If I can be Young Mayor that’s another platform for me to represent young people successfully, create connections and broaden the horizons for future change for young people.

“I’d be able to speak up for the concerns and disadvantages they face, and I genuinely think it will be really fun.”

The Wollongong Young Mayor will be announced on Friday 15 November.

To see this year’s candidates head to Young Mayors Wollongong – FYA.