In September, adult residents voted for Wollongong City Councillors. This week, teenagers are voting at ballot boxes in high schools across the city for representatives on Wollongong Youth Forum, the only one of its kind in NSW.

It's the second year that Wollongong City Council has partnered with the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) to democratically elect a forum for ages 12 to 17 as part of the Young Mayors Program. Polling opened today, November 4 and will close on November 13.

Results will be announced on November 15, after which the 12 teenagers elected will spend a year working with Council on various issues.

Giving young people not only a public voice but a platform to put their ideas into practice is a concept spreading around the world but relatively new in Australia, with only five programs across the country. We gave our local campaigners the chance to share their stories and – just like the mayoral candidates in the recent council elections – each tackled the same questions.

Thanks to Stevie, Sean, Charlie, Fatima, Ethan, Zelda, Mariam, Alyssa, Enerel and Jayden for their replies.

Meet a candidate: Fatima Al Taleb

Hi, I’m Fatima Al Taleb! I’m passionate about helping young people have a stronger voice in the community. I have been involved in School SRC (Student Representative Council) for years, School Debating Team, Sport captain and a volunteer for school  projects and I believe that with a bit of teamwork, kindness and creativity we can make Wollongong an even better place for young people to live, learn, and connect.

Why do you want to be part of the Wollongong Youth Forum?

I want to be part of the Youth Forum because I truly believe in the power of young people to create positive change. Being in the forum would allow me to bring forward the ideas and issues that matter most to us, whether it’s the environment, education, or mental health. I’d love to work alongside other passionate young people to make sure our voices are heard and taken seriously in the community.

What are the biggest issues facing Wollongong's young people today?

Young people in Wollongong face a range of challenges, but I think the biggest ones are mental health, climate change, and opportunities for skill-building. Mental health is a huge focus, especially with the stress of school, work, and social pressures. Many of us are also really concerned about the environment and want to see more action to protect it. Finally, having more opportunities to build practical skills – like tech, leadership, and creative projects – would give us the confidence and preparation for life after school.

If you could deliver one key project in your year, what would it be?

If I could deliver one key project, it would be a ‘Youth Green Spaces and Community Garden Initiative’. This project would focus on creating eco-friendly spaces around Wollongong, especially a community garden where young people can grow their own plants, fruits, and vegetables. It would give us a place to connect with nature, learn hands-on gardening skills, and grow fresh produce that we can share with the community. The garden would also include areas for relaxation and socialising, with shaded seating, study spots, and regular workshops on sustainability. This project would be a great way for young people to support a greener Wollongong while building a sense of community and learning life skills!

Read more candidate Q&As with Stevie, Sean, Charlie, Fatima, Ethan, Zelda, Mariam, Alyssa, Enerel and Jayden

For more information about the Wollongong Youth Forum, visit the FYA website