WHY YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE HEARD

AN Armstrong Creek teenager hopes he can drive politicians to act on issues that matter most to young people.

Lachlan Houen, pictured with his dog Zoe, is one of 19 young people inducted into the State Government’s second Victorian Youth Congress.

The Geelong College Year 11 student hopes the forum will shine a light on issues affecting young Victorians and help shape government policies, programs and services.

Lachlan, who hopes to study law before eventually pursuing a career in politics, says he always been interested in activism.

“It’s really important to me that we as a whole community recognise the potential and contribution of young people,” he said.

The 17-year-old is the vice-president of his school’s LGBTI action support team and he said he was recently alarmed to learn that hundreds of young people are homeless.

“I came into it (youth congress) with two main issues: one being the rights of LGBTI youth and their representation as well as youth homelessness and the prevalence of homelessness among 12 to 14 year olds,” he said.

Lachlan said he had been raised to develop a passion for volunteering.

“I think I’ve always had a passion for leadership responsibility and being able to represent everybody,” he said.

“We have such a diverse group of people throughout Victoria, including the youth, and I am keen to be able to represent people and their needs.”

Members of the 2019 youth congress are aged 13 to 24 and include people from Aboriginal, LGBTI and culturally diverse backgrounds, as well as youth living with a disability.

Youth Minister Gabrielle Williams said members would provide advice to the Government on key issues affecting young people over the next 12 months.

“It’s really important to me that we as a whole community recognise the potential and contribution of young people.” Pictures: PETER RISTEVSKI