Young people only have a few days left to apply to be a part of the Forbes Youth Advisory Committee.
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Forbes Shire Council’s youth liaison officer Natalie Walker is encouraging young people aged between 12 and 25 to join the committee, which she said has many benefits.
“Basically, they can develop a wider network of peers, develop new friendships and an awareness of different community groups and services in town through events and activities that we do,” she said.
“It can create leadership skills and give them a voice, as well as developing skills in putting on events, planning and organising events aimed for young people.
“They develop teamwork and communications skills and also a community spirit, allowing the opportunity to volunteer and see the benefits of that.”
Forbes’ latest Junior Citizen of the Year, Mitchell Ashcroft, is a perfect example of the recognition young people can get from volunteering and the big award that the Spectacular Screenings group received during Youth Week 2014 also demonstrates this.
“It shows that young people do get recognised,” Mrs Walker said.
Mrs Walker said being on the Forbes Youth Advisory Committee can also benefit people in the future and can create future employment opportunities.
People in the Youth Advisory Committee also have the opportunity to attend forums and conferences, such as the Youth Week forum and the 2015 NSW Youth Conference.
Mrs Walker said anyone is welcome to apply.
“We’re looking to get a variety of young people and a variety of skills that they can bring,” she said.
“They don’t have to be involved in everything that we do.”
Mrs Walker said the best part of being involved in the Youth Advisory Committee is the friendships that can be made.
“None of the young people on there at the moment had really known each other before but they’ve formed nice friendships and have broadened their network of peers, which is great,” she said.
“It’s great to be able to work with other young people who have similar interests.”
Mrs Walker encourages anyone who is interested in joining the committee to come along to their meeting on Wednesday, February 4 at 4pm to see what it’s all about.
“Anyone is more than welcome to come and check it out on Wednesday to see if it’s something they’re interested in,” she said.
Applications are currently available at Forbes Shire Council or online at www.forbes.nsw.gov.au.
Young people have until Wednesday, February 4 to apply for the committee.
