Youth has its say

By Jim Mynard
STUDENTS from Kambrya Secondary College will take part of the 20th sitting of the Young Men’s Christian Association Victoria (YMCA) youth parliament.
And they will be in the Victorian Parliamentary Chambers on Tuesday, 26, and Thursday, 28 September.
The program is significant in that it celebrates its 20th year alongside Victorian Parliament’s 150year celebrations.
Daniel Grondman, of Narre Warren South P12 College, will join Kambrya Year 11 students Amy Wickson, Jessica Bray, Ashleigh de Vent, Max Markham, Michael O’Lynn, Leigh HowardGuerin and Carly Williams.
They will work with 112 other young people from schools, universities, community groups and YMCAs.
Kambrya College team members will argue that the number of locations where smoking is prohibited within the state of Victoria should be increased.
Amy Wickson and Daniel Grondman will debate the issue of school strategies for dealing with gangs, as part of a team made up of six individuals from across Victoria.
Bills passed by the Youth Parliament, and given the assent of the youth governor, are passed on for consideration by the Minister for Youth Affairs.
More than 20 Youth Parliament Bills, including over the counter availability of the morningafter pill and increased rights for samesex couples, have gone on to become legislation in Victoria.
Carly Williams, team member and sports umpire, who aspires to be a secondary school physical education teacher, said she joined the Youth Parliament because she wanted to get her views across.
“I think it is a great opportunity for young people to have their voice heard.”
The youth parliamentarians attended a training weekend at Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza, last month.
There they learned parliamentary etiquette and procedure to use during their week in Parliament House.
The unique sixday residential program culminates in two days of debating in the parliamentary chambers in Spring Street, Melbourne.
The Governor, Professor David de Kretser, and Mrs Jan de Kretser will hold an official reception at Government House for the youth parliamentarians as a fitting finale to the program.