Canowindra High School student leaders with Mayor Kevin Beatty.
It is often said that older people don’t listen to the younger generation. It is also said that the youth of today lack initiative. Both stereotypes were shattered last Tuesday when a group of Canowindra High School student leaders visited Cabonne Shire Council to speak about their ideas and concerns.
School captain Jake Hamilton, vice captains Bella Gordon and Sam Bullock, and senior leader Lachlan Sunderland attended Cabonne Council’s monthly meeting in Molong after being invited to address their local government.
This is the second year that CHS student leaders have accepted the invitation, and they made the most of the opportunity. Jake was unanimously elected speaker for the group and he delivered the speech, largely written by Sam (with input from his fellow leaders), confidently and persuasively.
The group’s speech highlighted the benefits of living in a small regional community, but also offered some suggestions on how to improve infrastructure in and around Canowindra, and how to increase the opportunities available to our young people.
After the speech, a number of Cabonne Shire Council members and senior staff asked questions about topics raised by the students.
During a quick adjournment, Mayor Kevin Beatty took a few minutes to personally thank the delegation for their efforts and complimented them on their excellent presentation.