Young Mayors Horsham

A democratically elected Youth Council of young people aged 11–17 in Horsham, run in partnership with Horsham Rural City Council.

Term completed: June 2023 – June 2024

About the Horsham Youth Council

The Horsham Youth Council were elected in June 2023 and served a 12-month term in office. Together they delivered projects, campaigns and events with young people across the Horsham region.

The Horsham Youth Council’s term has since ended and the partnership with Horsham Rural City Council has concluded.

This page is an archive of their work.

Projects and campaigns

  • Planted 1,400 Indigenous trees in partnership with the Horsham Cemetery Trust, exceeding their election commitment to plant one tree for every vote received.
  • Sought young people’s views on public spaces in Horsham through a youth-focused consultation and survey.
  • Represented young people’s perspectives in Council decision-making, including through Youth Councillor participation in Horsham’s Central Activity District Reference Group.
  • Worked with local organisations and community volunteers to deliver their major tree-planting project, including the Horsham Cemetery Trust, Landcare and Dalki Garringa Native Nursery.
  • Made history as Victoria’s first democratically elected Youth Council, with 616 votes cast and seven young people elected.
  • Attended an event with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his visit to Horsham for the official opening of the Nature and Water Play Park and Wimmera Riverfront Activation Project.

In the media

The Weekly Advertiser

“Young campaigners help build momentum for Horsham mayors program”

Inside Local Government

“Horsham elects 2023 Youth Council” — confirms seven young people elected and 616 votes cast

The Weekly Advertiser

“Horsham council young leaders sworn in”

The Weekly Advertiser

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese opens Horsham water park” — includes Horsham Youth Council members meeting the Prime Minister

See more media coverage on the Young Mayors Program here.

How Young Mayors came to Horsham

Horsham had a Youth Council prior to working with FYA, but consultation with existing members of the Youth Council found they wanted more involvement in decision-making and a more active role in their community.

In November 2022, FYA came to Horsham to meet the Horsham Rural City Council, young people and community allies to talk about the Young Mayors program, and ran a co-design session to shape what the program would look like with and for young people in Horsham. The session was attended by 29 people, including 20 young people, the Mayor, council staff, community stakeholders and FYA staff.

That session led to the development of the Horsham Young Mayors program, tailored to young people in Horsham.

Stay connected

The Horsham Youth Council’s term has ended and the partnership with Horsham Rural City Council has concluded.

If you’re a young person in Horsham interested in civic leadership, get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Acknowledgement

The Foundation for Young Australians respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Horsham Young Mayors ran, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk peoples, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to the young emerging leaders. This always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.