Nate Ralph

This week I have ended my role as Youth Councillor for the Mackay Youth Council.

For the past 3 years I have had the immense privilege of serving as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor across Australia’s first ever democratically elected youth council.

I would like to thank the young people of Mackay who twice have placed their trust in me to serve them on council, and through this we have got a lot done.

We’ve held a range of events for Youth Week , many community stalls, established procedures on how the council operates, established an advisory board to hold accountability to our council and much more.

Opportunities like this are essential for growing communities and empowering the next generation.

I would like to especially thank Savannah, our program coordinator who has devoted so much time and effort to ensuring the youth council can succeed, a true champion of helping young people.

Elisa, Katrina and Cara as well who have also made major contributions and continue to ensure young people are able to have many opportunities across the Mackay region.

Importantly as well Mackay Regional Council for their support and interest in amplifying young people’s voices and making their concerns heard with committing to running Australia’s first ever democratic youth council.

A big thank you too Councillors & Former Councillors Nathenea McRae, Ash-Lee Johnson, Peter Sheedy, Belinda Hassan, Alison Jones, Anne Baker, Karen May, Pauline Townsend, Justin Englert, Fran Mann and Mayor Greg Williamson for interacting with and supporting our council.

As well the Foundation for Young Australians for their work in creating the program and implementing it, I hope that this model expands to many other councils across Australia and amplifies the voices of all young people. Thank you to Adam, Jenna and Molly.

Lastly, my fellow Youth Councillors, it’s important young people are heard and the work done by us in representing them is key for our community and its future. A big thank you to Mayor’s Ethan and Bridget for their leadership.

It has been an honour to serve our community and ensure young people are properly listened to and heard.

An amazing opportunity to attend the 2026 ‘SHED Happens Mackay’ International Men’s Day Breakfast.

Was great to have serious conversations and table discussions about supporting men, identifying discrimination against men, why it might happen and what to do when you see it.

A huge thanks and congratulations to all the work done by the amazing blokes at Shed Happens not only at this event but throughout the wider community.

Nigel Dalton MP
Councillor Ash-Lee Johnson
Anne Baker

An Honour to again be Nominated for the Young Citizen of the Year Award at the Annual Australia Day Awards in Mackay.

Congratulations to Amelia on her achievement and her incredible work that she does throughout the community, truly an amazing young person!

And congratulations to the recipient's and nominees of all the awards last night who back our community and power our region making it such a great place to live, keep up the fantastic work.