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Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 13:10

Published: Tuesday, 15 July 2025 13:00

At the end of last week, ten of the Region’s youth leaders got to step into the shoes of Councillors and experience what it’s like to participate in a mock Ordinary Meeting of Council.

TRC’s Community Development, Facilities and Tourism portfolio spokesperson and Chair of the Regional Youth Advisory Committee (RYAC) Councillor James O’Shea chaired the mock meeting and said this was one of many exciting activities planned for this year’s Youth Leaders Program.

“The Youth Leaders Program is all about giving our next generation the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Participating in a mock Ordinary Meeting was a great way for the youth leaders to understand the positive contributions they could make to our community as elected representatives if they were to pursue a future career in Council.”  

“Mayor McDonald, Cr Manteufel and Cr Shine also attended the meeting and encouraged the youth leaders to continue to respectfully express their opinions, no matter what career path they choose,” Cr O’Shea said.

As pretend appointed Councillors, the youth leaders were presented a hypothetical scenario to debate and vote whether a funding grant of $250 million was better spent on building a new stadium for the Region or if upgrading the current public transport system was a greater priority. 

“The youth leaders had great arguments for both sides. It was clear they had given their arguments great consideration, taking into account what would serve our community long term.”

“Some of the youth leaders made the argument that a new stadium would boost our tourism industry and have long-term positive effects on our economy. Whereas other leaders were in favour of upgrading our public transport system stating there should be a focus on upgrading the facilities the Region does have, before considering new ones.”

“After a lengthy debate, the youth leaders voted 7-3 against a motion endorsing a new stadium.”

Cr O’Shea said one of the greatest outcomes of participating in the Youth Leaders Program is the chance to learn more about the Toowoomba Region community.

“Being a youth leader allows you to get immersed in our community, you get to participate in important conversations about our Region, and you get an understanding of just how diverse our community is.”

“I absolutely recommend people aged between 14-24 get involved in TRC’s Youth Leaders Program, it’s a great foundation for creating real, positive change,” Cr O’Shea said.  

Applications for 2026 Youth Leader Program positions are currently open until Sunday, 27 July, 2025.

To find out more about TRC’s Youth Leader Program and who is eligible to join, please visit: Youth Leaders Program

Photo caption: A photograph featuring ten of the 22 youth leaders for 2025 alongside (from left) Cr James O’Shea, Cr Kerry Shine and Cr Trevor Manteufel in Council Chambers last Thursday 10 July, 2025. 

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