COAST’S NEW JUNIOR MAYOR TAKES OFFICE
THE future is in safe hands with a new wave of aspiring politicians sworn in as the Gold Coast junior council this week.
All Saints Anglican School student Khyja Miller has the “reins” in the Coast’s top job at the tender age of 15.
She was announced as the Coast’s 2019 Junior Mayor yesterday, taking over from outgoing junior mayor Caelan Pascoe, from Keebra Park State High School.
Khyja said she was honoured to be elected by her peers, particularly as her older brother served as deputy mayor in the program several years ago.
“I’ll get to brag to him later now,” she laughed.
“It’s an amazing opportunity.”
Deputy Junior Mayor Angie Zhou, from Queensland Academies – Health Science Campus, is also upholding family tradition. Her older sister served in the same position.
“It’s really cool that I get to continue in the same role,” she said.
“I think that it’s really important for youth to have a voice here on the Gold Coast, especially because there might not be as much of a connect between an older generation and a younger generation and we’re hoping to bridge that gap.”
The pair will be joined on the executive board by fellow students Hamish Munro, Kira Jackson, Klea Petridis Alvanos, Lachlan Gardner, Theo Lozano and Nola Getova.
The team of eight Year 11 students will represent 121 students from 29 high schools as they undertake their yearlong tenure in office.
The group meet five times a year and provide consultation on council policies, along with proposing their own changes for the city which are voted on by councillors.