Youth councillors shown the ropes

(Front, from left) Merran Casse, Zoe Hancox, Krystina Trewby-Gunn, Leaha Dickey; (middle, from ...
(Front, from left) Merran Casse, Zoe Hancox, Krystina Trewby-Gunn, Leaha Dickey; (middle, from left) Hayley Smith, Melissa Were, Terri Thomas, Jay Bichan, Kate Morrison; (back, from left) Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan, council corporate services...

Team unity was one focus for Clutha's newest youth councillors during a recent retreat in picturesque countryside.

The two-day retreat was based in the beautiful Catlins, and included leadership and team-building exercises and a quiz evening.

During the retreat, the responsibilities of councillors were outlined, as were tasks involved in being a youth councillor.

Clutha District Council community support and development adviser Jean Proctor said last week's retreat was a good way to cement team unity and give youth councillors a chance to get to know each other before its first meeting.

''It's a good way to get out of their comfort zone ... They can start planning projects and get ahead.''

The programme was run by RiverRidge Retreat owner Gary Dawkins.

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the youth council offered a chance for the district's young people to be heard.

It was formed in 2008 as a standing committee of the full council to advocate to the council on behalf of youth.

There are 14 youth councillors - two from each secondary school, two from the workplace, and two from Telford - and each is paired with a district councillor, who acts as a mentor.

The 2014 youth councillors are Olivia Adam (Tokomairiro High School), Jay Bichan (South Otago High School), Merran Casse (Lawrence Area School), Leaha Dickey (Lawrence Area School), Tyler Ford (Catlins Area School), Zoe Hancox (Blue Mountain College), Kelsey Harrison (workplace representative), Caroline Leslie (Catlins Area School), Kate Morrison (workplace representative), Chloe Sheehan (Telford), Hayley Smith (South Otago High School), Terri Thomas (Tokomairiro High School), Krystina Trewby-Gunn (Blue Mountain College), and Melissa Were (Telford).

The first Clutha District Youth Council meeting for the year will be held on February 17.

helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment