Year 8 students at Goulburn High School, Regan Handley and Hannah Smith said the event, which saw dozens of students and community representatives gather at the Grace Millsom Function Centre, was a great opportunity to speak up and be heard.

“It’s great just to be listened to. Sometimes adults don’t listen and this is our chance to be heard,” Miss Smith said.

“We hope that instead of us young people moving away for opportunities that the City can keep growing and use these ideas,” Miss Handley added.

Facilitated by Dene Williamson of Primitive Communities, participating youth were invited to share their ideas for the future through critical thinking about what they like and what could improve in the Goulburn community.

Career options, entertainment, heritage and sports were just some of the topics discussed.

“This day is all about giving the young people in the area a chance to think about what kind of area they want in the future, what it means to be a young person in the area right now and also kind of to give something back about what they would like to see happen,” Mr Williamson said.

“You really see a lot of commitment and a lot of passion in the youth once they’re given the opportunity, so we’ve seen a lot of them have some good ideas today and the desire to want to be part of shaping the future with a lot of care.”

Goulburn Mulwaree councillor and Mission Australia representative Alf Walker said the day was a success by all measures.

He said as a council the report, to be drawn up at following the event, will be crucial for the future direction of Council.

“It’s been a great initiative of Be Seen Be Heard to try and gather and collect ideas of young people of what they want and what they want to see and to be active in those decision making processes,” he said.

“The kids involved have been outstanding and have gone over and beyond our expectations…

“The report is going to be vital for us not only to secure funding in the future but also for us as a Council to learn from these young people.”