Last November, Brighton councillors endorsed the Brighton Youth Action Group or ‘BYAG’ for short.

The BYAG aims to provide a platform for young people in our community aged 12 – 24 who want to speak their minds and put forward ideas about things that affect the 3270 young people who live in our municipality.

The young people involved will shape what the purpose, aims and goals of the group should be. Typical tasks that a Youth Action Group might do include planning and volunteering at events that involve young peo­ple, provide advice and poten­tial solutions to policymakers and other people on issues affecting young people, net­work with other young people around Tasmania, Australia and even globally, socialise and develop leadership and other useful skills, and of course, have fun along the way.

For several years, the Brighton Alive network worked hard to collaborate on events aimed at young people. In 2022, the Brighton Alive network agreed that our community needed a specific youth voice at the decision-making table, and so the BYAG was born. Supported by the Brighton Council, the BYAG will develop an identity and focus which is true to the needs and strengths of Brigh­ton’s diverse, resilient and resourceful young population.

To find out more about the BYAG and how to get involved, you can attend the soft launch on Tuesday 31 January from 5 – 6.30pm at the Brighton Civic Centre. To register, please contact Brittany at Brighton Council on 03 6268 7000.