Get Involved

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Are you a young person aged 11-18 living, studying or working in the Cessnock Region? Are you a committed instigator of positive change in your community? Do you want to have your say on important community issues across Council? 

The Cessnock City Youth Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to influence and lead change, and to assist local government in understanding the needs of the young people of our region.

The Cessnock City Ambassador Group aims to:

  • Provide young people with an opportunity to express their ideas and views while raising important youth issues.
  • Create opportunities for young people to participate in a range of activities that support their interests and development, and to have fun.
  • Connect young people of similar interests and passions together.
  • Give Council and the wider community the opportunity to listen to young people.
  • Provide young people with the opportunity to engage with Council’s Business Units.
  • Offer a source of consultation to ensure Council’s Youth Service delivers events, programs and activities that are reflective of the needs and interests young people.
  • Develop leadership potential.
  • Promote the positive image of young people within the community and highlight the contribution young people make to programs

The Cessnock City Ambassador Group is responsible for:

  • Supporting the planning, promotion and facilitation of Youth Service events and programs including Cessnock Youth Centre based activities, School Holidays and NSW Youth Week.
  • Identifying opportunities where young people can participate in community activities.
  • Providing Council with feedback on proposed plans, programs and events.

Applications are now CLOSED

Please check back in November for the next round of applications.

Please note selection is on a merit basis in response to the answers provided in this form, and those selected will be contacted to confirm their commitment to participate.

A parent/guardian’s permission will be required by signature on the form for your application to be considered.

For more information on the program refer to the Cessnock City Youth Ambassador Charter.

Contact the Cessnock City Council Youth Services team:
youthcentre@cessnock.nsw.gov.au
4993 4359

Youth Week

Youth Week began as a NSW Government initiative in 1989, and has since grown to be a celebration of young people in every state and territory across the country.

It is organised by young people, for young people, in communities across NSW and Australia. Following the success of the NSW Youth Week program, Youth Week became a national event in 2000. National Youth Week is jointly supported by the Australian Government, State and Territory Governments and Local Governments.

National Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to:

  • Share ideas
  • Attend live events
  • Have their voices heard
  • Showcase their talents
  • Celebrate their contribution to the community
  • Take part in competitions
  • Have fun! 

Youth Week Planning Group

Would you like to be part of the Youth Week Planning Group? 

The goal of the Youth Week Planning Group is to plan and deliver a calendar of events that reflects the voices of young people during Youth Week.

Being a member of the planning group involves:

  • Attending planning meetings
  • Contributing to the planning of activities, which could include proposing ideas for activities and events, consulting with other young people, hosting activities or providing additional funding.
  • Volunteering at activities and events during Youth Week.

Check back in September 2026 to express your interest in participating in the 2027 Youth Week Planning Group!

For more information check out our Charter here.

Youth Engagement Strategy

The Cessnock City Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) identifies the aspirations of young people about to enter high school through to early adulthood who are living, working or studying in the Cessnock Local Government Area.

The YES outlines a four-year action plan which identifies 60 actions developed in response to feedback from over 650 community members. The actions cover the following themes:

  • Health and wellbeing
  • Recreation
  • Education and employment
  • Community participation

The YES will guide Council in helping to meet the needs of local young people and contribute to making Cessnock a vibrant place of opportunity where all young people are supported to grow, learn, be safe, belong, work and contribute. 

Read the Cessnock City Youth Engagement Strategy (YES)

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