Evie Brandon-Cope is Kingston’s new Junior Mayor

Published on 15 May 2025

Mayor Georgina Oxley with new Junior Mayor Evie Brandon-Cope.

Kingston continues to foster an appreciation of democracy in our local school students thanks to our long-running Junior Mayor program.

Evie Brandon-Cope, from Edithvale Primary School, has been elected as Kingston’s Junior Mayor for 2025/26. 

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

Mayor Oxley said the Junior Mayor program provides a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people in Kingston.

“This is one of my favourite events of the year because it’s always really great to hear from our young leaders about their ideas on how to make Kingston an even better place to live,” Cr Oxley said.

“I always come away so impressed by the high quality of speakers and the passion and deep thinking that goes into the presentations.

“We want to encourage young people to take an active role in our community and give them the opportunity to develop skills in leadership and public speaking and to learn more about how democracy and local government works.

“Inspiring the next generation of leaders starts with giving them a voice today.”

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

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. This year 26 local schools were represented.

Evie 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 does an inclusive community look like to you?

Evie alongside her team members Poppy, Hana and Violet presented a creative and well thought out speech about what inclusivity means to them.

Consulting with their school community, they believe a more inclusive Kingston is a place where everyone is made to feel like they belong through the celebration of the diverse cultures represented and hope to see dedicated initiatives to support and encourage everyone to be proud of the culture they come from.

Chloe Smith, from Chelsea Heights Primary School, was elected Deputy Junior Mayor for 2025/26.

The full Junior Council for 2025-26 is: 

  • Paloma Lopez from Bonbeach Primary School for Banksia Ward 
  • Mikayla Hipolito from Westall Primary School for Bunjil Ward 
  • Declan Charles from Christway College for Caruana Ward 
  • Tia Pierce from St John Vianney’s Primary School for Chicquita Ward 
  • Olivia Shannon from St Patrick’s Primary School for Como Ward 
  • Rohin Jain from Southmoor Primary School for Karkarook Ward 
  • Chloe Smith from Chelsea Heights Primary School for Longbeach Ward 
  • Emily Marshall from Parkdale Primary School for Melaleuca Ward 
  • Evie Brandon-Cope from Edithvale Primary School for Sandpiper Ward 
  • Damian Roufail from Cheltenham East Primary School for Wattle Ward 
  • Claire O’Donnell from Aspendale Gardens Primary School for Yammerbook Ward 
  • Romeo Emmett from Yarrabah School as Councillor’s Choice

 

The students will begin their term after being sworn in at the June council meeting.

 

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