Students learn about local government

Leaning Tree Community School Students recently visited the City of Greater Geraldton Council Chambers for an excursion.

With a bright attitude and eagerness to learn, the students fired off many questions about the role of local government.

The schoolchildren from grades five to seven engaged in a presentation with City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter and Customer Service Team Coordinator, Laarni Maddison, about how the City’s council works.

Mr Carpenter said it was important to educate students on how local government serves its community and the amazing diversity of services which the City provides.

“In many cases people in the community are unaware of the exact role that local government plays and the different roles which the State and Federal jurisdictions are responsible for,” he said.

“It’s very important for our youth to grow up knowing what services all spheres government can provide.”

Towards the end of the presentation children who asked many questions about people involved with the City and what they do; one student in particular shared her interest in wanting to become a councillor.

Another student presented Mayor Carpenter with an envelope containing letters from the students.

Mr Carpenter said he enjoyed the experience of receiving the letters from the students which detailed their hopes and wishes for the future of Geraldton.

“It was interesting to note many of these wishes were issues which were flushed out during the 2029 community consultation process and were items which had been added to the 2029 Action List,” he said.