Mayoral Breakfast 

On Tuesday 24 November we attended the Mayoral Breakfast, for school leaders in addition to the Mayor, Executives and School Captains/leaders of other Wagga schools were in attendance. We were asked to vote for the issues which we believed were most pressing in our city. The issue which was most voted for was domestic violence, followed by illegal drug abuse and theft. We then focused on these three issues and brainstormed ideas for prevention strategies which could be implemented into the Council’s plans. 

Such ideas included:

• More education on these issues - particularly on helplines and refuges for those affected by domestic violence, signs of domestic violence (as often it is difficult to determine what happens ‘behind the walls’), emphasis on the fact that domestic violence doesn’t discriminate, the detrimental effects of substance/alcohol abuse, and the consequences of theft as a crime and violation of privacy
   
• Increased surveillance and security within our community, which includes increased community involvement
   
• Encouragement of classroom conversation pertaining to these topics, which are often perceived as taboo

Overall, this event was considerably beneficial as it provided a forum for our concerns and ideas as young members of the Wagga community. 

Matthew Conn | Academic Care and Wellbeing