Sometimes you meet young people who inspire hope that the world may land in safe hands after all. At just 14, Charlotte Burns already has a strongly developed sense of community, volunteering and leadership. She is one of 15 young people chosen from across Byron Shire to be part of a brand-new Byron Youth Council that will meet throughout 2026. Jenny Bird finds out more.
“I’ve lived in Bangalow my whole life and love being part of the community. I really enjoy being active, helping people and being involved in community activities,” says Charlotte.
People tend to moan and groan a fair bit about the local council. What motivated you to apply for a spot on the Byron Youth Council?
To be honest, given this is a new initiative, I didn’t really know what to expect when I applied. I wanted to apply because I think
young people should have a say in decisions that affect our community and I thought it would be a great way to meet new people across the Shire. It can feel like young people’s opinions are heard well in some areas, like schools or sports clubs, but there don’t seem to be many opportunities outside of these spaces. The Youth Council is a really good opportunity for people my age to share ideas and help make positive changes in our community.
Council wants to give young people a platform to voice their views and advocate for action on issues that affect them. What issues do you think are important to young people in Bangalow and 2479?
Bangalow is a great place to live, and I think it’s really important that young people feel included and supported here. I think some of the important issues for young people in our area include having safe places to hang out, especially since the Bangalow Bowlo shut down. It would be great to have more spaces where teenagers can spend time with friends in a safe and welcoming environment. Good sports and recreational facilities are also really important, because a lot of young people here are very active. And living in such a beautiful area, it’s also important to make sure our beaches and natural environment are protected for the future.
Being part of the Youth Council is a chance for us to actually have a say about things that affect teenagers in our area. I also love volunteering, and I think the Youth Council could be a great way to help more young people get involved in the community and feel like they’re part of making a difference.
How will you connect to, and consult with, young people in order to stay in touch with issues?
I think it’s really important to listen to lots of different young people. Given the restrictions around social media, in-person discussions will be the way to go. I’m lucky to have a younger brother at Bangalow Public School, and we have quite a few community events, e.g. the Billy Cart Derby and the Bangalow Show, that could provide opportunities to speak with local teens. I love chatting with my teammates through netball and many different sports about their concerns, and I connect with kids involved in community groups like Surf Life Saving. The local media could also help us achieve our goals. I want to make sure I’m listening to different perspectives so I can represent as many young people as possible.
What skills are you hoping to build on or develop during the 12 months you will be on the Youth Council?
It’s a great chance to develop leadership skills and learn more about how local government works. However, for me, it’s about building confidence in speaking up on issues I believe in. I’d also like to work on projects that can make a real difference to my friends and community.
Being part of the Youth Council will be a great opportunity to learn how to represent people and make a difference in the community.
Are you interested in a career in politics?
I am not totally sure about what I want to do when I grow up, but I am certain that the skills I learn throughout these 12 months will help me with whatever I choose to do.
What was the first Byron Youth Council meeting like?
The first meeting was a chance to meet everyone in the Council and the councillors. We got a chance to look over the opportunities that we will have over the 12 months. There is a wide age range and teens from all parts of Byron Shire. What I discovered was that we are there for the same reason, but all bring a variety of different perspectives and skills. Everyone was so welcoming and excited to kick off the next 12 months of action!
Keep your eye out for Charlotte in The Bangalow Herald over the next 12 months. She will be reporting in on the Byron Youth Council, and The Herald will support Charlotte in her efforts to connect to young people in the 2479 postcode.