Junior Mayor program fostering a love of democracy
Published on 05 June 2024
Kingston continues to foster a love of democracy in local youngsters thanks to our long-running Junior Mayor program.
Grade six student Isabella Koukoumanos, from Our Lady of the Assumption, has been elected as Kingston’s Junior Mayor for 2024/25.
Isabella will now work alongside Kingston Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns to represent the community at key events and functions including citizenship ceremonies, official openings and much more.
Mayor Davey-Burns said the Junior Mayor program was a fantastic way to get young people excited about democracy and their local community.
“It’s amazing to see our local students so engaged and excited to learn more about how government works, how their voice and vote matters, and how they can make a positive contribution to their local area,” Cr Davey-Burns said.
The Junior Mayor program has run for over 60 years in a successful partnership with Chelsea Rotary.
“We’re proud to give our local young people an opportunity to grow and develop their leadership skills to help create the leaders of tomorrow,” Cr Davey-Burns said.
Kingston’s Junior Mayor is elected at an annual event where grade six representatives from primary schools across Kingston present speeches on a key theme. This year 23 local schools were represented.
Isabella was elected by her peers to serve as Junior Mayor for the next 12 months, alongside 12 other students who were elected to Kingston Junior Council.
Karkarook Ward Councillor Hadi Saab said having visited many schools I know lots of our young students look forward to this event each year.
“Inspiring the next generation of leaders starts with giving them a voice today. Our Junior Council election is about empowering our youth to shape the future of our city,” Cr Saab said.
This year students were asked to present on the topic: If you could add to the vision of a child-friendly creative Kingston, what would your ideas be?
Isabella alongside her team members Peter, Olivia and Alessio presented a creative and well thought out speech about the Kingston Pen Pals Program. The Kingston Pen Pals Program focuses on helping kids build friendships and connections. Isabella and her peers aimed to create a program to “help children who have a difficult time making friends and support and assist them to improve their socialising skills with others.”
Lucian Hendricks from St John Vianney’s Primary School was elected Deputy Junior Mayor.
The full Junior Council for 2024-25 is: