Mandurah’s junior councilors graduated from their positions on Thursday morning at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, after a busy year of community service.
The council this year consisted of 38 student representatives from all 19 local primary schools.
The students helped junior mayor Kalli Chamos and deputy junior mayor Chloe Gee put together a deputation to present to council, which this year focused on engaging children and families in mental health education.
They presented on mental health at the Kids Teaching Kids conference and raised money and awareness for Peel Youth Medical Service at the Children’s Festival.
Both Chloe and Kalli said they were very lucky to have led junior council this year, and the experience had taught them a lot about their city.
“The hardest part would probably be standing up in front of people and doing speeches… I’d not done as much as I have now, but I’m really glad I was elected so I could improve on those skills,” Chloe said.
“I believe the junior council’s done an amazing job, and we have together moved mountains and made a difference,” Kalli said.
“I’ve had the honour that I can be a leader, and show my leadership skills… and I’ve learnt about mental health, it’s an important part of people’s lives, their school grades, and their confidence.”
She said the public speaking had also been a challenge, but that she’d had a lot of practice.
“We’ve increase the conversation about mental health around Mandurah, I think that was our biggest goal this year,” Chloe said.
Green Schools Award
Kalli and Chloe also presented the Green Schools Award for 2016 at the graduation ceremony, which is decided on by a vote of junior councilors.
The two entrants – Mandurah Baptist College and Saint Damien’s Primary School – were separated by only one vote, with Saint Damien’s taking home the prize.
