paul mallett proposes the introduction of the annual Junior Citizen Awards to mark the contribution of school age children to our community. Each year every participating school within the City of Launceston (and potentially neighboring councils) would nominate one or two students who have demonstrated leadership, kindness, and civic responsibility in support of our community. The nominated students would receive a Certificate and financial prize to be awarded at an annual event – possibly the Annual Social Justice Lecture.

The Awards would be a public acknowledgement of the contribution children and young people make to health and wellbeing of our diverse community. Respecting and acknowledging junior citizens for their work on fund raising, mental health awareness, environmental and climate action, peer support, activism and advocacy would focus adult public attention on the contributions of those who will soon reach the age of majority. It would also serve as an opportunity for decision makers to attune to the voices of children and listen to the issues that matter to them. Equally, the Awards would seek to provide junior citizens with the inspiration to continue their civic leadership as they progress toward young adulthood.

Inspiration

Approximately forty years ago paul mallett received an award marking his contribution to his school community. The 1986 Junior Citizen Awards (see picture to the left) were sponsored by the Statewide Bank (Launceston Bank for Savings – LBS) and awarded to one or two school leaders from every participating Primary School and High School in the North and North West of the State. It acknowledged the positive civic contribution made by these students, as nominated by school staff, and noted the potential for these recipients to become ‘leading citizens of the future’.