"Vision is not enough, it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs."
-Vaclav Havel.
“The youngest generation is pretty sure that they can do it better than the folks that have been doing it for a long time”
The past several years have seen a marked increase in young people getting involved in politics and running for office around the world.
The young players deal with the main priorities of youth: intergenerational solidarity and the fight against unemployment.
In my old Europe, more leaders under the age of 30 and 40 such as Finland's Sanna Marin, France's Emmanuel Macron, and Ireland's Leo Varadkar have come to power, and parliaments in countries like France and Spain are getting younger and more diverse.
Zuzana Caputova becomes Slovakia's first female president In 2019
On 30 September 2021 Dylan Parker became a Mayor of Randwick. My better half who has had many encounters with the new mayor knows that Dylan is exceptionally mature, reliable and dependable. Dylan has a genuine compassion for other people who are in need. Without any doubt Dylan is an exceptionally driven young man and very goal oriented. Randwick council is in good pair of hands!
In addition, Dylan is a great swimmer.
However, the jury is still out whether he can beat MEdia Dragon freestyling across the Little Bay 🤨
It should be pointed out that NSW based Dylan Parker is not connected to Paper Planes …
On Thursday 30 September, Councillor Dylan Parker was voted in by his fellow Councillors as the new Mayor of Randwick City. Mayor Parker has been a Central Ward Councillor for Randwick City since 2017. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party.
At 29-years-old, Dylan is one of Randwick City’s youngest Mayors and Councillors, and the role is not something he takes for granted.
“Getting to a point where the community has placed their trust in me to represent them is an honour but also a big responsibility – it’s not something I take lightly. I look forward to listening to and learning from our community,” he says.
“I’d like to thank outgoing Mayor Danny Said for his service over the last two years. Our community has been lucky to have you.”
A proud Maroubra resident, Dylan is also a volunteer surf life saver and will be found most weekends down at Maroubra Beach swimming or training with the inflatable rescue boat.
“I love our area and am passionate about making it a better place. I hope to call it home for many years to come," he says.
Dylan’s partner, Jocelyn, is currently training to become a doctor and has a passion for women’s health. “She has that rare talent of being able to empathise, connect and care with others – I’m very lucky to have her.”
The calling to serve his community is one that’s been passed down from Dylan's parents. “My mother was a nurse at RPA and when I was growing up she would often work nights looking after sick people. My father was a passionate environmental campaigner in his early years but he now runs the family business, an art supplies store. “My first job was spent stacking paint tubes onto the shelves at the shop,” says Mayor Parker, whose father taught him the importance of hard work.
As the eldest of seven siblings, leadership might come easy to our new Mayor! “We are an eclectic bunch – all following our own passions, but we are really tight-knit and talk regularly.”
It was Dylan's mother who taught him the importance of life-long learning and improvement. “I’m currently re-training to become a high school history teacher – the love of learning is something I hope to pass onto the next generation,” he says.
For now, it is as Mayor of Randwick City that Dylan hopes to be able to have an impact. “We have one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline across all of Sydney and many phenomenal green open spaces. But despite the area’s beauty, we still have such a laid-back community vibe and we never forget to look after one another,” he says.
On what he is looking forward to in the role, Dylan says, “I’m really looking forward to working with the many fantastic community groups we are lucky to have, whether it is sporting clubs, local charities, environmental groups, or surf clubs.”
Yet his first job will be helping Randwick City to re-open safely. “Whether it’s supporting our cafés, restaurants, community sport or charitable organisations, I want to work with the community to re-open in a COVID-safe way so we can get back to enjoying our wonderful lifestyle in Randwick City,” he says.
Congratulations to Councillor Parker on being voted in as Randwick City's Mayor.
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MOVE over Surry Hills and Newtown — the southeast could one day become a hub of art galleries, small bars, cafes and music venues.
Councillor Mayor Dylan Parker plans to make Randwick a night life hub
Now, more than ever, young people require a political voice. While our next generation may understand the issues that are impacting their communities, their country and their planet, it is important that they know how to effect positive change. This means ensuring that young people have the tools required to articulate their political ideas and the capacity to engage meaningfully in the democratic processes to allow their voices to be heard. Young people’s contribution to politics is not just ideal; it is necessary for both the benefit of their civic agency and the incorporation of a vital political perspective. Understanding the mechanisms of engagement, identifying barriers and exploring evidence-based recommendations is important to improve young people’s involvement in politics and democracy.
Cr Dylan Parker (Mayor)Cr Dylan Parker (Mayor)
"Keep the company of those who seek the truth- run from those who have found it."
-Vaclav Havel.