Youth Council

Representing our City's youth

The Youth Council is a formal advisory group made up of young people. Members are aged between 12–22 years and, living, working or studying within the municipality.

The Youth Council meet monthly. Some of their key responsibilities include:

providing valuable advice to Council on matters affecting young people
creating opportunities for young people to engage with Council and have their voices heard
advocating for the interests, challenges and opportunities faced by young people in our municipality
offering input and feedback on relevant matters referred from the Council before formal decisions are made.

Meet our Youth Council

We currently have 12 young people making up our Youth Council.

Youth Mayor: Kaynat Virk (she/her)

My name is Kaynat and I am 21 years old. I have joined the Youth Council to ensure the problems facing the youth are brought to the table and are discussed upon with the intention to encourage effective change. Issues of climate change and youth wellbeing are of high concern to me. I look forward to representing the youth community.

Deputy Youth Mayor: Emily Tricarico (she/her)

My name is Emily and I am 18 years old. As an individual with a strong interest in social issues, I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. My goal is to create a safe and welcome environment wherever I go, using my personal experience of overcoming various challenges to better understand and encourage those in my community who have also experienced feelings of isolation. The City of Whittlesea Youth Council allows me the opportunity to network and learn new skills that will help me in the future as I pursue my interests further.

Angelica Banquil (she/her)

My name is Angelica and I’m 16 years old. I joined the City of Whittlesea Youth Council because the prospect of amplifying the voices of the youth and contributing to the betterment of my wider community resonates deeply with my values, making this opportunity particularly compelling for me. The Youth Council allows me to involve myself in what I am most passionate about - active community involvement - and I believe it allows me to seamlessly utilise and enhance my leadership skills while engaging in hands-on initiatives to create a positive impact.

Angela Rolevska (she/her)

My name is Angela and I’m 20 years old. I joined the Youth Council as I am a keen participant in the community, and I have a strong passion for leadership and advocacy for my peers. Over the past two years, I have been lucky enough to be part of the process of developing the foundation of the Whittlesea Youth Council and I believe this advocacy body to be of upmost importance to young people.

Bavleen Kaur (she/her)

My name is Bavleen and I am 15 years old. I have joined the City of Whittlesea Youth Council as I want to give back to the community where I live, study, play, and socialise. I want to do whatever I can for the youth, environment, and health of the City of Whittlesea. I want to be a voice for young people in the municipality and wish to raise and advocate for topics I am passionate about as I believe that my voice and the voices of other young people must be heard.

Elly Watson (she/her)

youth council Elly Watson

My name is Elly and I’m 18 years old. I have enthusiastically become a member of the City of Whittlesea Youth Council. My passion for well-being and physical fitness, coupled with a desire for different encounters, propelled me to take this endeavour. I aspire to incite participation in council-hosted events and activities, deepen engagement with the youth offerings in the shire, foster community interaction, and actively contribute to the council's decision-making processes.

Mustafa Khraim (he/him)

My name is Mustafa and I am 17 years old. I joined the Whittlesea Youth Council due to my dedication to creating a safe space for young people in our community. With a demonstrated passion for youth empowerment in school leadership roles, I aspire to actively contribute to initiatives amplifying young voices and addressing crucial issues. In this dynamic role, I aim to help foster an supportive environment that nurtures growth and inclusivity. Let's embark on a journey to build a vibrant and progressive future for the youth in our city, creating lasting impact through collaboration and respect.

Osama Akkad (he/him)

My name is Osama Akkad and I’m 19 years old. I joined the Youth Council as I believe young people deserve a say in decisions that affect our lives and futures. I'm passionate about social justice, inclusion, and ensuring that all voices - especially those from underrepresented backgrounds - are heard and valued. As someone who has experienced the power of community firsthand, I want to help create spaces where young people feel supported, empowered, and connected. Through this role, I hope to advocate for greater opportunities in youth leadership, promote and celebrate cultural diversity, and ensure that young people are at the forefront of community development through their voices and actions. By working with other young leaders and the broader council, I aim to help shape a more inclusive, responsive, and youth-driven City of Whittlesea. I want to see the opinions and suggestions of young people and community members not just heard, but genuinely taken into account to shape policy and drive meaningful change.

Sandy Tran (she/her)

My name is Sandy and I am 22 years old. I am enthusiastic about becoming a member of the City of Whittlesea Youth Council, as I am committed to creating a secure, supportive, and inclusive environment for young individuals in our community. I strongly believe that every young person deserves a safe space where they can freely express themselves, engage in meaningful discussions, and receive guidance as they pursue their passions without fear of judgment or shame. Along with my background in music, I intend to inspire other young people who also want to pursue a career in music and help guide them through the hardships and obstacles I have faced as a musician.

Sophie Winter (she/her)

My name is Sophie and I am 16 years old. I live within the City of Whittlesea municipality, which includes the Whittlesea Township. I was part of the Youth Advisory Committee for 2022/2023. I am passionate about politics and the environment. I decided to join the City of Whittlesea Youth Council because it would allow me to develop my leadership skills, meet new people and help other young people have their voices heard. I would love to use my knowledge of my time on the Youth Advisory Committee to help young people make a difference in our community.

Tanya Sharma (she/her)

My name is Tanya and I am 14 years old. I have joined the City of Whittlesea Youth Council with a deep-seated commitment to addressing the pressing environmental and sustainability challenges that confront young people today. Recognising the pivotal role that the youth play in shaping the future, I am driven by a passion to actively contribute to creating a more sustainable and resilient community. By engaging with the Youth Council, I aim to amplify the voices of young individuals and work collaboratively on initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, foster eco-conscious habits, and advocate for policies that prioritise the well-being of our planet.

Zachary Melvaine (he/him)

My name is Zac and I am 18 years old. I am a passionate individual who loves leadership, collaboration, and community service. I find immense joy in helping others and continually striving to become the best version of myself. Being a City of Whittlesea Youth Councillor is the chance to continue building upon the foundations I've established during my two-year tenure with the City of Whittlesea Youth Advisory Committee.