Dubbo youth’s voice heard at NSW state parliament
DUBBO student Phoenix Foley represented the city at Children’s Week Youth Parliament, one of 93 Year 7-10 students selected from across the state.
Ensuring democracy prevailed, the one-day program is free of charge so that cost was not a barrier for participation.
On the day, the young people each gave a one-minute speech on matters important to youth in their region, speaking in the Legislative Assembly Chamber.
Phoenix, attending his second Youth Parliament, was invited by the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP), an organisation he’s had a long association with.
Since its beginning in 2002, approximately six pieces of YMCA NSW Youth Parliament youth legislation have been passed into NSW Law, including the recent Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
Phoenix said many of the 93 members of the Youth Parliament made a speech on mental health.
“There were a few speeches about other things such as climate change but the most prominent was mental health,” Phoenix told Dubbo
“My biggest take-away from the day was gaining a bit more of an in-depth understanding about how decisions are made in this country.”
His advice for any students wanting to get involved in youth parliament is to first join a local youth council.
“I’m a member of the Dubbo Regional Youth Council, it’s a brilliant organisation for people aged 12 to 24 who meet up once a month and discuss a number of things, mainly events and event planning for youth to get involved in,” Phoenix said.
“If it wasn’t for the youth council, I wouldn’t have been at the youth parliament or a number of other youth events that it’s led me to.”
Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said it was a pleasure to speak to those in attendance at Youth Parliament, and that it was great to see Phoenix there.
“One of the things I want to achieve from being in Parliament is leaving the electorate of Dubbo in a good position for the future generations,” Mr Saunders said.
“For that reason it was good to see there are people from all across NSW keen to be involved and be the ones to pick up the baton.
“The other important part of speaking was to show these teenagers that ordinary people can get involved. I spent 27 years in radio before I found my way here – parliament isn’t something that is just for the elite. I believe it is a place where everyday people can do great things for their communities, and it is important that everyone sees it that way,” he said.
* Note: John Ryan is an elected councillor on Dubbo Regional Council.