NAMED: 11 new Gladstone Youth Councillors

Here are the young people aged between 15 and 25 who have been selected as part of a new advisory committee to the Gladstone Regional Council.

Gladstone Regional Council has voted to appoint 11 young people in to the Youth Council for 2022, who will be part of an advisory committee.

A total of 12 nominees put their names forward, however one withdrew during the interview stage.

The remaining 11 were all appointed to their positions.

Of these, three were members of the previous 2021 Youth Council.

The Youth Councillors are:

• Aaron Yea
• Rommiel Malig
• Gypsy Cantwell
• Jessica Toms
• Emma Roulston
• Jie Xi Zang (Jessi)
• Chloe Sydes
• Michael Vardy
• Tayla Bullen
• Alexander Hill
• Stefani Seumanu

Councillor Chris Cameron asked why other previous Youth Councillors weren’t reappointed and said, hopefully it wasn’t due to dissatisfaction.

He also asked if the outgoing Youth Councillors could provide a report on their experience.

A council officer said one of the main reasons was education commitments.

Deputy Mayor Kahn Goodluck asked if the minimum age of 15 was an intentional decision.

“I’ve spoken to some quite capable young people who weren’t quite 15 who were showing interest in being part of the youth council in previous years,” Cr Goodluck said.

A council officer said it was in line with the state government’s definition of ‘young people’.

All councillors voted in favour of the new Youth Councillors and changing the age bracket to 15-25.