Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Cameron Anderson standing and speaking up for the district’s youth
At just 20, Innisfail’s Cameron Anderson has already spent several years putting his hand up for his community, joining the inaugural Cassowary Coast Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) in 2023 to help give young people a voice across the region.
Cameron joined YAC while school captain at Innisfail State College, after encouragement from his uncle.
“He said, ‘You’ve always had a passion for volunteering. You’ve always wanted to get yourself out there. So put in for this and just see if you get anywhere with it.’”
One initiative Cameron is particularly proud of came during YAC’s early meetings, when members raised the need for better access to university study locally.
“We had the Vocational Pathways Group come in to talk with us because we had an idea to create the Rural Study Hub,” Cameron said. “We were all in agreement. We prefer for youth to stay here and study, if they want to.”
Today, Cameron is benefiting from that opportunity himself. He works four days a week at Innisfail Hospital while studying online through CQUniversity to be a paramedic and uses the university study hub at Innisfail Library.
His willingness to speak up has prompted others to suggest he might consider a more formal community leadership role in the future – something Cameron says he may consider one day. For now, he believes YAC offers young people an opportunity to become more involved in their own communities.
“You begin to have a deeper understanding in what’s going on within your community and what can go on, and what you can provide for your community,” he said.
Members meet regularly, either face-to-face or online via Teams, with Cameron describing it simply as “a group of mates” discussing what is happening locally and what they can do.
And he wants more young people, particularly young men, to get involved.
“More people means a louder voice,” Cameron said. “Which means more can be done for the youth of the Cassowary Coast.”
Young people aged 15 to 25 interested in joining YAC can contact Council on 1300 763 903, email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au, or visit Council’s Youth Advisory Committee page.
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