Australian Research shows that anxiety around climate change in adolescents globally is very real and while it can impact the health of young people negatively, it can also drive them to engage with important sustainability initiatives like the City of Melville’s Leadership for Eco Action Program (LEAP).
Six 15-year-old sustainability-focused young people are part of the 2026 LEAP initiative, stepping up to tackle local environmental issues and helping create a clean, green and sustainable City.
Saghar is one of the participants and says she is interested in community participation and advocacy and has been passionate about environmental action from a very young age.
“LEAP’s a combination of all these things and that’s what made me interested in applying,” she says.
“I most want to be able to create change within my community; the most rewarding part of being a leader is contributing to the community you are part of and seeing the physical manifestation of this change and how it helps people you know.
“I think the bush walks around the Piney Lakes Reserve have been the best part of the program so far and getting to know the local natural environment more has helped me to put into perspective the things we can do to improve the conditions for protecting this environment.”
Weekly sessions for Term 1 were kicked off by a guided walk of Piney Lakes Reserve led by Dylan Shillito from Mirliny Aboriginal Cultural Education. LEAP participants explored the cultural significance of local plants and wildlife and were lucky enough to see the snake-necked turtles, red-tailed black cockatoos and even a hawk.
Over the next two years, these young changemakers will strengthen their leadership, teamwork, project management and community engagement skills, culminating in the delivery of a community project of their own design.
Akeisha says her curiosity and a desire to learn more about the local environment and leadership prompted her to join LEAP.
“I am hoping to inspire fellow young people to take opportunities and try new things to learn more about themselves and the environment,” she says.
“My favourite moment so far is when we got to plant seeds of plants that are in season and take them home to add life into our gardens.”
Mahavir said he had some free time and wanted to use it to pursue his interest in environmental protection and leadership.
“The idea of hosting a community event also sounds extremely fun,” he says.
City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair says care for the environment is at the forefront of the City’s Council Plan for the Future 2024-2034 and it is firmly committed to helping mitigate climate change.
“We are working towards organisational carbon neutrality by 2030 and facilitating community progression towards net zero by 2050 and our Community and Corporate Climate Action Plans, which we developed in consultation with our community, provide a road map for working towards these ambitious goals,” she says.
“We’re progressing and undertaking many projects and programs to reduce our organisation’s carbon footprint, while educating and facilitating emissions reductions opportunities within our community.
“We are so proud to be bringing these young people on board as champions for the environment through LEAP and our staff are excited to share their considerable expertise and skills in this area with them through this initiative.”
Image shows; Mayor Katy Mair with some of the City of Melville’s Eco Action LEAP Program participants. L to R (City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair and LEAP participants Mahavir, Hastin, Saghar).