Kingston crowns new Junior Mayor

Published on 31 May 2023

Kingston Junior Mayor, Alexandra Shewan, and Kingston Mayor Hadi Saab

Kingston is sparking a love of democracy in local youngsters thanks to our long-running Junior Mayor program.

Grade six student Alexandra Shewan, from Chelsea’s St Joseph’s Primary, has been elected as Kingston’s Junior Mayor for 2023/24. 

Alexandra will now work alongside Kingston Mayor Hadi Saab to represent the community at key events and functions including citizenship ceremonies, official openings and much more.

Kingston Mayor Hadi Saab said the Junior Mayor program was a fantastic way to get young people excited about democracy and their local community.

“It’s amazing to see our local students so engaged and excited to learn more about how government works, how their voice and vote matters, and how they can make a positive contribution to their local area,” Cr Saab said.

The Junior Mayor program has run for over 60 years in a successful partnership with Chelsea Rotary. 

“We’re proud to give local youngsters an opportunity to grow and develop their leadership skills to help create leaders of tomorrow,” Cr Saab said. 

Kingston’s Junior Mayor is elected at an annual event where grade six representatives from primary schools across Kingston present speeches on a key theme. Alexandra Shewan was elected by her peers to serve as Junior Mayor for the next 12 months, alongside 11 other students who were elected to Kingston Junior Council.  This year students were asked to present on the topic: What three initiatives would you create to support mental health for young people in Kingston? 

Vanessa Comarmond from Parktone Primary School was elected Deputy Junior Mayor, while Westall Primary School’s Sreyan Prottoy picked up the Councillor’s Choice Award and will also serve on the Junior Council.

Alexandra replaces outgoing Junior Mayor Eli Murphy who was acknowledged for his contributions, including being a strong representative for the Junior Councillors over the past year.  

The full Junior Council for 2023-24 is: 

  • Keira Jessop from Patterson Lakes Primary School for Banksia Ward
  • Pranav Premnath from Clayton South Primary School for Bunjil Ward
  • Suumon Naing from Dingley Primary School for Caruana Ward
  • Vanessa Comarmond from Parktone Primary School for Chicquita Ward
  • Benjamin Trouw from St Patrick’s Primary School for Como Ward
  • Gabriel Kovalev from Southmoor Primary School for Karkarook Ward
  • Alexandra Shewan from St Joseph’s Primary School for Longbeach Ward
  • Grace Conway from Parkdale Primary School for Melaleuca Ward
  • Madeleine Stacey Edithvale Primary School for Sandpiper Ward
  • Kiara Morris from Our Lady of the Assumption for Wattle Ward
  • Ella Ryan from Aspendale Primary School for Yammerbook Ward
  • Sreyan Prottoy from Westall Primary School, Councillors Choice Award

 

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