Armed with lofty ideas, six students from Heritage Christian School and Westport Public School headed to the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for an audience with mayor Peta Pinson, on May 9.
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As part of a competition run by the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West, students wrote stories about what they would do if they became mayor for a day, with the winning students presenting their ideas in the council chambers.
Julie Constable, youth director of the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West said the competition was a chance for primary aged students to think about what a mayor actually does and what they would do with the power.
“We wanted to run a public speaking competition for primary school children and we thought it would be great to get them to think what they would do as mayor,” Ms Constable said.
“We are also so thankful that mayor Peta Pinson jumped on the idea and let the students come and talk to her today about the plans.”
Ms Constable said the range of ideas presented by the students covered a wide range.
“We had some stories that were down right hilarious and others that were well thought out, but it was clear that all the students had put a lot of work into them,” she said.
“This is the first time we have done something like this but I think it has been a great success and I know that we will aim to run the competition again next year.”
Heritage Christian School student Flynn Hardy said he was excited to come to meet the mayor but that it was a little bit scary.
“Before meeting the mayor I was nervous but she was really nice and I was able to tell her all the things I would do if I was mayor,” Flynn said.
“If I was mayor for the day I would build a playground for kids with disabilities.”
Amarni Payne from Westport Public School said if she was mayor she would be sure to fix all of the roads and build lots of building.
“If I were mayor for the day I would fix everything that was damaged like pot holes in the road. This will help drivers avoid flat tyres if they drive over them,” Amarni said.
“I would put in more building so if people come to visit they will have more rooms and would be nearer the ocean.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson said she loved having the students share their ideas.
“It has been great to invite the students to come and see me and to find out how council actually works, and you never know, one day they might come and be elected mayor,” she said.
