Students take part in mock council meeting

HIGH school students from Heritage Christian School had the chance to learn about local government and discuss issues first-hand in a mock council meeting hosted by Mayor Adam Roberts on Monday.

Thirteen students from years 7 to 12 visited Port Macquarie Hastings Council chambers where Mayor Roberts explained the three tiers of government – local, state and federal – and the difference in the roles of mayor, councillors and general manager.

The students then assumed the role of local councillors in a mock council meeting with Mayor Roberts guiding them on the protocols and formalities which included debating topics and voting.

“I was very happy to meet with the students and teachers from the Heritage Christian School to explain the role of council and respond to their questions,” Mayor Roberts said.

“Our young people are leaders of the future, and it was a fantastic opportunity to hear from the students and talk about local issues that are important to them.

“As part of the mock council meeting, the students discussed local sporting infrastructure priorities.

“I hope they were able to get some insight into the machinations of how local government works.”

The visit was arranged by Brenda Sarno, Youth Director at Rotary Club of PMQ West, the Heritage Christian School and the Mayor’s office.

Ms Sarno said that the mock council meeting “gave students the opportunity to collaborate as a team to discuss important local issues and work on solutions”.

“The more young people understand local government and civic ceremonies such as citizenship, the more confident they will be in having a voice in their local community.”

Deputy Principal Dougal Parsons from Heritage Christian School said, “Our students were genuinely curious about the opportunity to meet with the Mayor and discuss important local issues as part of the Mock Council.

“What I was most pleased by is how they connected the work we do on citizenship here at school with their engagement in the process of deliberating, assessing and planning local council decisions. It was a great day for our students.”