Twelve people have been nominated for the youth committee to advise the council.
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They are: Troy Arandale; Elizabeth Cooper; Genevieve Elliott; Navanka Fletcher; Lloyd Hornsby; Peter Lisberg; Graham Little; Natasha McLennan; Jennifer Mackenzie; Peta Perrin; Hayden Smith; and Alexander Woods.
The council will discuss them on Thursday but the expectation is that the nominations will be accepted.
The youth committee only has an advisory role but it has been an important part of the campaign by Deputy Mayor Carol Sparks to promote policy to help young people.
Some of the nominees have been prominent in civic life.
Navanka Fletcher is the council’s coordinator of festivals. She is local and so knows the area well, returning after graduating in Lismore.
Lloyd Hornsby is an artist who owns the Gawura Gallery. He spends a lot of time touring schools, teaching youngsters how to paint and be good citizens.
Peter Lisberg is involved with the art gallery and other Glen Innes causes.
Peta Perrin is a teacher at the High School. She was involved in a project to create a habitat there for an endangered species of frog.
Jennifer Mackenzie is a promising dancer and musician who is making strides towards her self-proclaimed ambition of being a star. She is often selected for high profile state events. She also performs at town functions like the Anzac Day ceremony.
Others have not been so prominent in town life, though some may argue that that is a good thing, indicating an infusion of new blood and fresh thinking.
The committee fits into the bigger picture of a council which now has a policy of turning the old shire council building into a “youth hub”.
To that end, applications are being prepared for a grant designed for cultural causes. Carol Sparks said earlier that it would be called a “Youth, Art and Cultural Centre” and would offer “a safe space where (young people) could access the (council) youth worker)“.
The plan has been driven through by Deputy Mayor Carol Sparks against the opposition of Mayor Steve Toms and Crs Jeff Smith and Colin Price who argue that the money hasn’t been allocated in spending plans which have already been settled.
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