Frankston City Council has officially announced the appointment of the first Youth Mayor, Gerard Felipe.
Gerard graduated from Frankston High School in 2017 where he was a member of the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC). He served on the Student Executive Board as its first Chairman from 2016 to 2017, representing their issues to the Deputy Premier and Education Minister James Merlino MP.
He will meet regularly with the youth council and attend regular council meetings, as well as working with the youth council to address youth disengagement, bullying, mental health and access to support.
“I hope to give a voice to those not so willing to speak up and stand side-by-side with those who can,” he said. He was partly motivated by Gandhi’s famous quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
To young people disengaged from the political process, he has a simple message: “Be informed and don’t be afraid to speak up for what you believe is right.”
But would the criminology and politics student consider standing as a candidate for the regular council? “It’s something I would consider at some stage down the line,” he said.
“I enjoy the idea of service. I enjoy speaking and standing up for others.”