Youth speak up about issues close to heart

Broome students met the WA Commissioner for Children and Young People last week.

Colin Pettit toured local schools and youth organisations during his two-day visit to the town, accompanied by WA Young Person of the Year Preston Colbung.

Speaking to theBroome Advertiser, Mr Pettit said his role was to make sure youths’ voices were heard.

“Wherever I go, I always ask what they see as a positive in their community and what they think could be changed,” he said.

Broome Primary School’s Year 6 students were given the opportunity to share their thoughts when Mr Pettit called into their classroom last Wednesday.

Among the topics highlighted was the need for more after-school activities, a sentiment Mr Pettit said was raised by other youths across WA.

“That’s something we try and encourage them to take more control of within their community and let responsible adults know what they think is important in their community so they can start to address them,” he said.

The students also met Mr Colbung, who has a family connection in Broome including with BPS’s sport teacher and former WA Young Person of the Year Simon Zuvich.

Mr Colbung said it was great to be able to get out to regional communities and hear about positive opportunities and initiatives happening for young people throughout WA.

He said Broome youths had already shown themselves as ambassadors of the town and were demonstrating their ability to become the next generation of aspiring leaders.

“It’s really obvious that these kids all know what they want, they just need the support in understanding how they can get some of those things into action, which of course the school would support, and PCYC and other places around Broome,” he said.

A report of Mr Pettit’s findings from his regional trip will be submitted to Parliament by the end of the year.