Youth Week - Uralla Youth Q&A with Mayor

Published on 12 April 2019

Uralla Youth Q & A with Mayor!

Uralla’s Youth Week 2019 activities commenced with a “Morning Tea with the Mayor” in the Uralla Shire Council’s Chambers 10 April 2019.  

Mayor Michael Pearce opened the proceedings with a welcome and introduced, Cr Isabel Strutt, Cr Tom O’Connor and the General Manager, Andrew Hopkins. Mayor Pearce noted the ideas students had put forward at the same event in 2018 and noted Council’s completed and upcoming projects for young people around the Shire this year:

• Shaded playground equipment installed at Uralla Sporting Complex and multiple parks,
• Exercise equipment installed in Hampden Park, and a half size basketball court also being installed there soon
• Swimming Pool upgrades are planned for 2019/20, which will include new picnic shelters, a shaded BBQ area and the renewal of the pool floor
• Bundarra will have a shade sail at the park and seating at the Nature Reserve
• Invergowrie, Kingstown and Kentucky will have shade structures and soft fall at their parks
• Invergowrie will also have play equipment and a walking track, and
• Kentucky will have play equipment, fencing and lighting at their park

A rapid fire Q & A session with students from Uralla and Bundarra Central Schools, St Joseph’s Primary School and a Uralla resident who is a student at O’Connor Catholic College in Armidale, followed.

Some of the ideas and requests from the students this year included the following:

• Request for bubblers to be put at the Uralla Skate Park and the BMX Track
• Upgrade to the BMX Track:
  • This upgrade will commence shortly with work expected to be completed mid-year
• Ideas to have community events to strengthen youth relationships within the Shire
• Ideas for holiday programs for teenagers and young people e.g. basketball competitions or football

 The Mayor then asked the students a few questions relating to their lives, such as, “Does Cyber bullying affect young people in Uralla?” These brought up much discussion about social media and the many issues that affect young people in the Shire.

The event finished off with a delicious morning tea of sandwiches, slices and juice where the students had a chance to talk one on one with the Mayor, Councillors and their fellow students.

 [ENDS]

Jane Ogden – Coordinator Community Development and Engagement

Andrew Hopkins – General Manager

For further information contact: Jane Ogden on 02 6778 6300