2. Rockdale City Youth Council
is appointed and supported
by Rockdale City Council
2 Bryant Street
Rockdale NSW 2216
Tel 02 9562 1666
Fax 02 9562 1777
rcc@rockdale.nsw.gov.au
www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au
3. Annual Report 2013-14 | 3
Rockdale City Youth Council was formed for members to promote positive
images of young people and advance their needs and representation in the
community. The Youth Council has been active for over three years, providing
a forum for young people to express their ideas and discuss issues which are
important to them. It also allows young people to develop skills in organising
events, activities and initiatives with the support of Rockdale City Council.
The Youth Council currently has 13 members, ranging in age from 15 to
22. All members live, work or study in Rockdale City. At the end of the
Youth Council’s inaugural term, Council supported the Youth Council’s
recommendation to change each term from two calendar years to two financial
years. This gives the Youth Council more time to plan Youth Week events,
which are held annually in April. Accordingly, the current Youth Council’s term
expires on 30 June 2015. The Youth Council has evaluated the period from
1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 and this report highlights its major activities and
achievements.
I am especially pleased with the Youth Council’s logo, which was designed
by past member Gloria Lo in 2013. It provides us with a team identity and is
great for promoting our activities to the local community. I am also glad that
members are being given the opportunity to take minutes of our meetings,
which is an important skill to practise.
I would like to thank all the Council officers and community representatives
who have met with and supported the Youth Council over the past year. We
always welcome feedback or requests for youth input. The Youth Council is
particularly excited about Council’s major projects, including the new Rockdale
City Library, the Rockdale City Aquatic Centre and the Arncliffe Youth Centre.
I would like to thank all the Youth Council members, who have volunteered
their time to attend meetings and run events.
After two years as Chairperson, I have decided to step down from the role
and I wish Mariam George all the best as the newly elected Chairperson for
2014-15. It has been a privilege to work with other young people who are
passionate about positive youth engagement and their local community. I will
continue to be active in my new role as Deputy Chairperson.
Jesse Hanna
Chairperson
Chairperson’s Message
4. 4 | Rockdale City Youth Council
Youth Council Members
Current Members
✦ Andrew Edwards (TBC)
✦ Mariam George
✦ Christopher Glitsos
✦ Iltaf Hammam
✦ Bonnie Hanna
✦ Jesse Hanna (Chairperson)
✦ Shirley Huang
✦ Georgia Kapsimalis
✦ Claudia Luhur
✦ Adriana Tsounis (Deputy Chairperson)
✦ Aileen Wang
✦ Delia Yan
✦ Jenny Yu
Past Members
✦ Benjamin Glitsos
✦ Alexandra Ilievski
✦ Tamara Ilievski
✦ Gloria Lo
✦ Elizabeth Mora
Jesse Hanna and Adriana Tsounis at Ramsgate
Beach for Clean Up Australia Day 2013.
5. Annual Report 2013-14 | 5
Meeting Dates
✦ Tuesday 13 August 2013
✦ Tuesday 10 September 2013
✦ Tuesday 15 October 2013
✦ Tuesday 5 November 2013
✦ Tuesday 10 December 2013
✦ Monday 3 February 2014
✦ Tuesday 4 March 2014
✦ Tuesday 25 March 2014
✦ Tuesday 22 April 2014
✦ Tuesday 13 May 2014
✦ Tuesday 10 June 2014
Mariam George, Andrew Edwards, Mark George and Shirley Huang at the
Dive In Cinema.
Gloria Lo with her winning design
for NSW Youth Week 2013.
6. 6 | Rockdale City Youth Council
Youth Council Objectives
The Youth Council has 10 objectives set out in its Terms of Reference:
1 To assist Council identify issues affecting young people and provide advice on possible solutions.
2 To assist Council identify the needs of young people and provide advice on youth services and
initiatives.
3 To assist Council to develop partnerships with local young people.
4 To encourage young people to take an active interest in local affairs, services and relevant initiatives.
5 To assist Council to advocate to State and Federal Governments or public agencies on issues
affecting young people.
6 To assist Council to engage with young people.
7 To assist Council to promote and disseminate information to Rockdale City’s young population
to help build a better understanding of the role of local government and the services available to
young people.
8 To promote positive images of young people and recognition of the diverse contributions young
people make to community life.
9 To contribute to key community initiatives for young people.
10 To be youth ambassadors of Council at relevant conferences and youth programs. To be ambassadors
representing to Council the views of local young people.
This section of the report outlines how the Youth Council has met these objectives.
Aileen Wang (centre) and Iltaf Hammam (right) at the Dive In Cinema.
7. Annual Report 2013-14 | 7
OBJECTIVE 1
To assist Council identify issues affecting young people and provide advice on
possible solutions.
OBJECTIVE 2
To assist Council identify the needs of young people and provide advice on youth
services and initiatives.
To achieve the above two objectives, the Youth Council met with the following Council officers and
provided advice on Council projects, events and initiatives from a youth perspective:
✦ Irene Chan, Urban Designer (3 February 2014)
✦ Jenny Hoff, Coordinator Community Planning & Engagement (4 March 2014)
✦ Mark Norman, Coordinator Library & Community Information Services (4 March 2014)
✦ Justin Sheining, Senior Events Officer (4 March 2014, 13 May 2014)
✦ Meredith Wallace, General Manager (13 May 2014)
✦ Amanda Hurst, Recreation, Arts & Culture Officer (10 June 2014)
The Youth Council also met with the following community representatives:
✦ Marian Ayad, Social Worker, Exodus Youth Worx (3 February 2014)
✦ Serapina Caleo, Arncliffe Community Centre Coordinator (4 March 2014)
✦ Laura John, Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations 2014 (13 May 2014)
✦ Michael Lloyd-White, Chairman / Founding Director at World Kindness Australia and Craig Spence,
Founding Director / Company Secretary at World Kindness Australia (13 May 2014)
Meeting with World Kindness Australia and UN Youth Australia representatives. L-R: Mariam George, Delia Yan, Craig Spence (World
Kindness Australia), Laura John (UN Youth Australia), Michael Lloyd-White (World Kindness Australia), Andrew Edwards, Jesse Hanna,
Adriana Tsounis, Christopher Glitsos, Bonnie Hanna.
8. 8 | Rockdale City Youth Council
OBJECTIVE 3
To assist Council to develop partnerships with local young people.
The Youth Council met with Kogarah City Council’s Youth Advisory Committee on 3 February 2014.
They were accompanied by Greg Harriden, Community Development Officer – Youth from Kogarah
City Council.
The Youth Council hopes to assist Council to develop partnerships with Kogarah Youth Advisory
Committee and other local youth councils in the future. This could involve sharing ideas and resources,
and delivering joint events. The Youth Council also met with Jessica Zhang, Youth Member for Rockdale
for the 2014 YMCA NSW Youth Parliament, on 3 February 2014.
Meeting with Kogarah City Council’s Youth Advisory Committee. Front row (L to R): Jessica Zhang, Ghada Ali, Shirley Huang, Adriana
Tsounis, Aileen Wang, Claudia Luhur, Maria An, Christine Jardin, Soaliha Iqbal. Back row (L to R): Jesse Hanna, Christopher Glitsos,
Andrew Edwards, Benjamin Glitsos, Mariam George, Bonnie Hanna
9. Annual Report 2013-14 | 9
OBJECTIVE 4
To encourage young people to take an active interest in local affairs, services and
relevant initiatives.
OBJECTIVE 5
To assist Council to advocate to
State and Federal Governments
or public agencies on issues
affecting young people.
Youth Councillors have demonstrated an
active interest in local affairs, services and
initiatives. In particular, the Youth Council has
engaged with Council on the new Rockdale
City Library project. Claudia Luhur is the Youth
Council’s representative on the Central Library
Development Advisory Committee.
Following a suggestion by Claudia, the youth
section of the new library on the floor plans
was moved from the front to be located closer
to the study rooms at the back. Mark Norman,
Council’s Coordinator Library & Community
Information Services, also met with the Youth
Council on 4 March 2014 to discuss the floor
plans for the new library.
Andrew Edwards represented the Youth Council
at the Rockdale City Council meeting on 4 June
2014, and spoke in support of the new library.
See Appendix 1 for the full text of Andrew’s
address.
The Youth Council was concerned
about the changes to train services in
Rockdale City, as a result of the new
train timetable. Jesse Hanna wrote a
letter on behalf of the Youth Council
to the NSW Minister for Transport to
express these concerns. See Appendix
2 for a copy of this letter and the
response received.Bonnie Hanna and Mariam George at the Dive In Cinema.
Fiona MacColl, Stephen Williamson and Christopher Glitsos at the
Dive In Cinema.
10. 10 | Rockdale City Youth Council
OBJECTIVE 6
To assist Council to engage with young people.
OBJECTIVE 7
To assist Council to promote and disseminate information to Rockdale City’s young
population to help build a better understanding of the role of local government and
the services available to young people.
The Youth Council is very grateful to past member Gloria
Lo for designing several possible Youth Council logos in
2013, from which one was chosen to be the official logo.
The logo is attractive and distinctive, and is used on official
Youth Council letters, promotional materials and social
media. This has assisted the Youth Council to engage
with young people and raise its public profile. Jesse Hanna
wrote a letter to Gloria on behalf of the Youth Council to
thank her for designing the logo. See Appendix 3 for a copy
of this letter.
Our ‘Rockdale City Youth Council’ Facebook page now has over 100 ‘likes’, which is much higher than
when the Youth Council was formed in early 2011. The Youth Council uses this page to promote and
disseminate information to young people about local activities and services. Twitter has also been used.
The Youth Council looks forward to strengthening its public profile over time.
Rockdale City
Youth Council’s
Facebook page.
Rockdale City Youth Council’s logo.
11. Annual Report 2013-14 | 11
OBJECTIVE 8
To promote positive images of young people and recognition of the diverse
contributions young people make to community life.
Past member Gloria Lo received
recognition for her outstanding
volunteering on 24 October 2013,
when she was awarded a St George
Community Award (Young Person of
the Year) by Mark Coure MP. Gloria
was nominated for this award by Jesse
Hanna on behalf of the Youth Council.
Andrew Edwards and Jesse Hanna
appeared in a newspaper article in
the St George & Sutherland Shire
Leader regarding their attendance at
the NSW Youth Council Conference
in Dubbo. See Appendix 4 for a copy
of this article. Jesse also appeared in
the Leader regarding his appointment
to the 2014 NSW Youth Advisory
Council. See Appendix 5 for a copy of
this article.
Gloria Lo receiving a St George Community Award from Mark Coure MP and
the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Marie Bashir
Youth Councillors at the Dive In Cinema. Front row
(L to R): Iltaf Hammam, Aileen Wang, Mariam George.
Back row (L to R): Christopher Glitsos, Andrew
Edwards, Jesse Hanna, Bonnie Hanna, Shirley Huang,
Adriana Tsounis
12. 12 | Rockdale City Youth Council
OBJECTIVE 9
To contribute to key community initiatives for young people.
National Youth Week ran 4 - 13 April 2014. As part of Youth Week, the Youth Council planned
and delivered a ‘Dive in Cinema’ event at Bexley Swimming Centre on Friday 11 April 2014. The
outdoor movie shown was Monsters University. It was a free event promoted by flyers, posters,
Council’s website, social media and to local schools and the Leader. The fantastic promotional poster
was designed by past Youth Councillor Gloria Lo, who won the 2013 Youth Week in NSW Design
Competition. See Appendix 6 for a copy of the promotional poster and the Leader newspaper article.
Free tickets were distributed online via Eventbrite and sold out quickly. Activities before the movie
included swimming, giant Jenga, giant Connect 4 and prizes. Young people who attended received
generous giveaway bags which were provided by the NSW Office of Communities and included
tattoos, bouncing putty and information on youth issues and services. Council also provided fairy floss,
popcorn and inflatable beach balls for the bags. Attendees received a free barbeque dinner.
Youth Councillors worked cooperatively with Council officers and the YMCA to organise and promote
the event, hand out giveaway bags, collect tickets, assist with the barbeque, run activities and pack up
after the event. Youth Councillor volunteers at the event included Andrew Edwards, Mariam George,
Benjamin Glitsos, Christopher Glitsos, Iltaf Hammam, Bonnie Hanna, Jesse Hanna, Shirley Huang,
Georgia Kapsimalis, Claudia Luhur, Adriana Tsounis, Aileen Wang, Delia Yan and Jenny Yu. Aileen and
Jesse attended a site meeting on 12 March 2014 to help plan the event. Bonnie, Iltaf and Jesse helped fill
giveaway bags the day before the event.
The event was a success and was well attended by families from Rockdale City. Positive feedback was
received. Mayor Shane O’Brien attended along with Cr Mark Hanna and Cr Andrew Tsounis. Although
it rained during the screening of the movie, attendees were well protected by the undercover area.
The Youth Council thanks Rockdale City Council and the YMCA for supporting the Youth Council
to organise and run the event. In particular, Council officers Fiona MacColl, Justin Sheining, Stephen
Williamson, Jenny Hoff and Karen Purser; and YMCA Bexley centre manager Connie Tsipidis.
Given the popularity of the Dive In Cinema, the Youth Council recommends that Council consider
holding future outdoor cinema events in Rockdale City.
Youth Councillors at
the Dive In Cinema.
L-R: Benjamin Glitsos,
Claudia Luhur, Adriana
Tsounis, Aileen Wang,
Jesse Hanna, Shirley
Huang, Jenny Yu,
Andrew Edwards,
Christopher Glitsos,
Bonnie Hanna.
13. Annual Report 2013-14 | 13
OBJECTIVE 10
To be youth ambassadors of Council at relevant conferences and youth programs.
To be ambassadors representing to Council the views of local young people.
Youth Councillors attended the following conferences and events as ambassadors of Council:
✦ Central Library Development Advisory Committee meetings.
Claudia Luhur
✦ (nearly) Everything, Rockdale City Library’s discussion group.
Jesse Hanna, Claudia Luhur and Delia Yan
✦ Mayor’s Rockdale State of the City Community Forum, 27 August 2013.
Jesse Hanna
✦ NSW Youth Council Conference, Dubbo, 22-24 November 2013.
Andrew Edwards and Jesse Hanna
✦ Rockdale City Mayoral Community Forum on Renewing Rockdale, 11 February 2014.
Jesse Hanna
✦ ‘Living Laneways’ Workshop Information Session, 20 February 2014.
Andrew Edwards and Jesse Hanna
✦ Rockdale Arts Festival ‘Rock Up’ Opening Night, 21 March 2014.
Jesse Hanna and Claudia Luhur
✦ NSW Youth Week ‘Minding Our Mental Health’ forum, 1 April 2014.
Andrew Edwards and Jesse Hanna)
✦ Council Meeting, 4 June 2014, speaking on behalf of the Youth Council to support the new library.
Andrew Edwards
Jesse Hanna and Andrew Edwards at
the NSW Youth Week ‘Minding Our
Mental Health’ forum.
14. 14 | Rockdale City Youth Council
Looking Ahead
Rockdale City Youth Council is proud of what it has achieved over the past year, and believes it has met
its objectives quite well. However, the Youth Council is still a fairly new group, so members can see
substantial scope for improvement. Members would like to explore more opportunities for networking
and partnerships with other youth councils and youth organisations. The Youth Council would also like
to raise its profile in the community and increase engagement with young people via Facebook and
Twitter.
Members certainly have plenty of ideas to pursue before their term expires on 30 June 2015. Members
are keen to continue working cooperatively with Council officers and community representatives on
a variety of exciting projects, activities and events. A goal is to win a Youth Week Local Government
Award from the NSW Office of Communities. This is certainly achievable with strong dedication, team
work and creativity.
15. Annual Report 2013-14 | 15
Appendix 1
“Good evening Councillors. My name is Andrew Edwards and I’m a Year 11 student currently attending
St George Christian School. I am also a member of the Rockdale City Youth Council and have been
chosen to represent our point-of-view relating to the construction of a new major library for Rockdale
Council and our support for such a project.
I will now take the liberty of painting a picture of the future that we, the Youth Council, look forward
to. Imagine this, light jazz and the sound of children’s laughter fills the air. You can feel the warmth of
the sun as you’re curled up on a comfy lounge engrossed in the newest crime thriller paperback or
magazine or downloading an eBook to your iPad. The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee filters
through the air as an email alert reminds you that your study or meeting room booking is coming up.
Gathering your belongings and disposing of your now long-empty coffee cup, you make your way over
to the in-house cafe for another caffeine hit before heading upstairs.
This is just one of many experiences that you would deprive the community of by voting against
proceeding with the new library building tonight. You would be voting against a commitment to lifelong
learning, starting with the expansion of enriching children’s activities which the existing space does not
facilitate, to supporting school and university students in their formal studies as well as those at later
stages of life seeking continual personal development. A new library would be the centre of learning and
leisure in our community and is a project which has the full support of the Rockdale City Youth Council.
In our group meetings, we have discussed with excitement the possibilities that a new, modern library
would bring. Freshly built halls for safe community events, a stimulating and exciting space for young
children to develop themselves, and space on the roof for activities where the sky is literally the limit!
What kind of leader do you want to be? Maybe you’re happy with just keeping the peace and
maintaining the status quo or maybe you want something more. Maybe you want to inspire others
by stepping outside your comfort zone so they have the courage to do the same. Maybe you want to
leave a lasting legacy for future generations in this community. What kind of message do you want to
communicate to the local young leaders of tomorrow? There are no opportunities for you here, so
if you want an environment which fosters creativity and innovation, you should look elsewhere? Or,
do you want to tell us to stay, and signal your commitment to our future with an environment which
motivates us, stimulates new ideas and draws others in?
Pulitzer Prizewinner Carl Sagan once said, ‘the health of our civilisation, the depth of our awareness
about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we
support our libraries.’ Rockdale Library needs your support and tonight is your chance to show it.
Thank you all for your time and your commitment to our community. I hope that you will all make the
right decision.”
Andrew Edwards’ address to Rockdale City Council on 4 June 2014 regarding the
new Rockdale City Library:
16. 16 | Rockdale City Youth Council
Jesse Hanna’s letter to the NSW Minister for Transport regarding changes to train
services in Rockdale City, followed by the response received:
Appendix 2
Mr Jesse Hanna
Chairperson
Rockdale City Youth Council
BEXLEY NSW 2207
Ph:
E:
22 July 2013
The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian, MP
Minister for Transport
Level 35 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Dear Minister
RE: PROPOSED CHANGES TO TRAIN SERVICES IN ROCKDALE CITY
I am a 21 year old law student writing on behalf of Rockdale City Youth Council to express my concerns
at the draft timetable for Sydney Trains, due to be implemented in October 2013. In particular, I am
concerned at the proposed large reduction to train services in Rockdale City. This issue has been
brought to my attention by recent Fairfax Media news articles.
I was shocked to read that the number of peak period train services stopping at Kogarah train station
would be halved under the proposed timetable. Train frequencies in the morning peak would be cut
from 32 to 18 services, and from 44 to 23 services in the afternoon peak. There would no longer be
access to express trains from Kogarah. Of further concern, it appears that the loss of these express
services will not be replaced by a corresponding increase in the number of all stations services. This will
undoubtedly result in overcrowding of the all stations services.
Kogarah is a very busy station. Apart from an extensive residential area, it services several schools,
including Kogarah High School, St George Girls High School, James Cook Boys High School, Moorefield
Girls High School and Marist College Kogarah. It is also used by St George TAFE, St George public and
private hospitals, St George Local Area Command, Kogarah Local Court and many local businesses.
Indeed, Kogarah was identified as a major employment centre in Sydney’s Rail Future: Modernising
Sydney’s Trains in June 2012.
17. Annual Report 2013-14 | 17
Similarly, the number of train services stopping at Rockdale and Kingsgrove train stations would be
significantly reduced under the proposed timetable. Members of the St George community are
understandably anxious and angry at the extent of the impending changes to train frequencies. I am also
concerned that commuters will need to use Hurstville station as an interchange point when travelling
from south of Hurstville to any station from Allawah to Arncliffe.
I am disappointed that Transport for NSW has apparently not consulted the community on the draft
timetable, especially as previous draft timetables have typically been released for public comment at
least six months before they are implemented. Instead, the community has relied on Fairfax Media to
analyse a complex 800-page document. The NSW Government could easily release the draft timetable
for public consultation on its Have Your Say website www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au
From the reports I have read, I find it difficult to agree with your statement that “the new timetable will
be received in an overwhelmingly positive light once it is finalised”, at least with respect to St George
commuters. Regardless, in the interests of transparent government, I respectfully request that you
release the timetable and encourage meaningful public consultation once it is finalised. This would allow
for any necessary changes to be made prior to implementation.
Yours sincerely
Mr Jesse Hanna
Chairperson
Rockdale City Youth Council
19. Annual Report 2013-14 | 19
Appendix 3
Jesse Hanna’s letter to Gloria Lo to thank her for designing the Youth Council’s
logo:
Mr Jesse Hanna
Chairperson
Rockdale City Youth Council
BEXLEY NSW 2207
Ph:
Mob:
E:
7 October 2013
Ms Gloria Lo
Member
Rockdale City Youth Council
BEXLEY NSW 2207
Dear Gloria
On behalf of Rockdale City Youth Council, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the significant
time and effort that you dedicated to designing several possible Youth Council logos. After much
consideration, the Youth Council has chosen one of your designs as its official logo, which is proudly
printed at the top of this letter. It looks fantastic and will be used on official Youth Council letters and
promotional materials, allowing the Youth Council to raise its profile in the Rockdale community and
beyond.
You are an outstanding artist and we are delighted to have you on our team. I would like to thank you
for your enthusiasm in assisting with the planning and delivery of our Youth Week activities this year,
especially your design of an attractive poster for the Youth Week Fun Day. The Youth Council would
certainly be interested in utilising your artistic expertise for future events.
Moreover, I am impressed by your passionate and dedicated volunteerism in the wider community,
in particular your role with Two Kites Project. Establishing a successful not-for-profit organisation as a
young person is a remarkable achievement, and I hope that your positive leadership will attract and
inspire many young volunteers.
Yours sincerely
Mr Jesse Hanna
Chairperson
Rockdale City Youth Council
