The duo, Jessica from Gulgong High School and Mary from Mudgee High School, were elected by their peers to lead them into the 2009-2010 year.

Jessica succeeds Mudgee High’s Tim Blackman, who held the position over the past year.

“I have been on the council for the past three years and decided this year to run for the election,” Jessica said.

“I like with when we help young people, working with my peers, finding out what young people want and how we can improve on it and how happy they are when we get the job done.”

The election of officers took place during the initial meeting of the 2009-2010 Youth Council on Tuesday.

Youth councillors from Mudgee High School, Gulgong High School and Kandos High School attended the meeting, with seven new faces on the council.

Continuing councillors were Tim Blackman, Jessica Maclennan and Yolanda Kreuzen.

Nominations are still being sought for representatives from St Matthews Central School, TAFE and the general community with membership open to residents of the region aged 13 to 21.

Jessica said the group was already working on projects to be held in April next year.

Youth Week will be observed between April 10 to April 18, 2010.