On 20 July 2022 Youth Mayor Victoria Tangey and Deputy Youth Mayors Ryan Peterson and Remus Brasier were honoured to be invited to an event with the Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf, Councillors, City representatives and community leaders to meet the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko in the Bendigo Townhall.
Ambassador Myroshnychenko was very interested in Youth Council, he asked questions about what Youth Council does and its purpose. Youth Mayor Victoria Tangey and Deputy Youth Mayors Ryan Peterson and Remus Brasier explained that Youth Council was an advisory and advocacy committee whose role is to represent the voice of young people who live, work and/or study in the City of Greater Bendigo. They outlined how Youth Council provides advice to the City of Greater Bendigo Council on plans, strategies, policies and projects so that they better align to the needs of young people.
Deputy Youth Mayors Ryan Peterson and Remus Brasier discussed Victorian Youth Parliament with Ambassador Myroshnychenko, who had participated in the Ukrainian Youth Parliament when he was younger. He was very impressed with Deputy Youth Mayor Ryan Peterson being the 2022 Victorian Youth Premier. He also asked the Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayors if they would one day be members of parliament. Something for our young leaders to think about.
The Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayors also spoke with members of the Bendigo community who are of Ukrainian descent and are currently providing refuge to other Ukrainians. Many of the guests were interested in Youth Council and what its role is, they were impressed with the level of strategic advice Youth Council provides.
Ambassador Myroshnychenko was very grateful to Bendigo and Australia for the support we have provided to Ukraine. The Ambassador was very confident that Bushmasters built at Thales have and will continue to save lives of Ukrainians on the frontline in the fight against Russia.
Our Youth Council leadership were grateful for the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Myroshnychenko and discuss youth leadership. This was an experience our young leaders are not likely to forget.