City of Port Lincoln, Media Release, 7 June, 2021

Three dedicated young Port Lincoln residents will represent the district in a program for young people to raise awareness of the concerns and dreams of SA’s youth.

Tyrene Gardiner and Lady Shania Richards will join young people from across SA in the 2021 YMCA SA Youth Parliament, thanks to financial support of up to $500 each from the City of Port Lincoln.

In addition, Port Lincoln’s 2021 Young Citizen of the Year Dylan Cowley will also attend the event, and it was his generosity that contributed to the Council’s support for Tyrene and Shania. Elected Members agreed back in April to provide $460 to Dylan to attend the Youth Parliament – but his fundraising efforts were so successful that he chose to hand back the sponsorship so it could be used to send another local young person to the event.

Following the applications from both Tyrene and Shania, Elected Members extended the sponsorship to include both young people.

City of Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty said the event would give all three youth the opportunity to learn more about SA’s parliamentary system and voice issues affecting young people particularly in regional areas.

“All three of these young people have already demonstrated their dedication to their local community and their passion for speaking out on causes close to their hearts,” Mayor Flaherty says.

“Council recognises the importance of supporting our district’s youth to learn about our systems of government and to find ways to add their voices to discussion on matters that impact them.”

“We also understand that accessing these types of personal development and advocacy programs can be challenging for young people in the country, due to the additional costs associated with travel and accommodation. Council’s sponsorship will ease some of these financial pressures to ensure these two young leaders can take part.”

“I believe the addition of three young people of such high calibre from our area, to this Statewide forum, will also help put the issues affecting youth in regional and remote areas in the spotlight.”

Tyrene, 17, was the Port Lincoln 2020 Young Citizen of the Year, has been an intern through the Commissioner for Children and Young People Fellowship and is currently a finalist in the 2021 Young Achiever Awards for SA.

Shania, 22, is a Barngarla/Mirning/Wongutha woman who was chosen to be a member of the 2021 Youth Parliament’s Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Committee.

Dylan is a volunteer leader at Passionis Productions and a band member with the Salvation Army Church. He has also been chosen as a member of the event’s Business Innovation and Investment Committee.

The 2021 SA Youth Parliament participants will be invited to present to a future Council meeting to report on their experiences through the program.

The YMCA South Australia Youth Parliament provides a platform for young people aged 15 to 25 to voice their opinions on important issues, build skills such as confidence and debating, and increase their parliamentary understanding. Participants undergo mentoring, a training weekend and a week-long camp, along with visits to Parliament House. They also work together to develop their own draft bills and learn more about youth advocacy.