Primary school students across the City of Kingston will have an exciting opportunity to develop leadership skills and learn about local democracy through the Junior Mayor and Junior Councillors Program, delivered in partnership between the Chelsea Rotary Club and Kingston Council.

Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley has expressed her strong support for the initiative and will work closely with the elected Junior Mayor throughout the 2026–27 term.
For more than 50 years, the City of Kingston has elected a Junior Mayor, with the program proudly sponsored by the Chelsea Rotary Club. Traditionally, only one student was selected each year to serve as Junior Mayor. In recent years, however, Chelsea Rotary and Kingston Council have expanded the initiative to establish a Junior Council, enabling even more young people to participate.
The enhanced program now provides opportunities for eleven Grade 6 students from primary schools across Kingston to serve as members of the Junior Council. This expansion allows more students to gain valuable leadership experience, build confidence, and develop a greater understanding of local government.

Each participating primary school nominates one Grade 6 student to represent their school. The nominees deliver a two-minute speech before casting their votes to elect the Junior Mayor from among themselves.

Throughout the year, the Junior Mayor supports the Mayor by attending a range of official Council events and civic functions. Together with the Junior Councillors, participants learn first-hand how local government operates and how they can contribute positively to their community.

The program aims to educate and inspire young people by providing practical experience in leadership, public speaking, civic responsibility, and community engagement, while encouraging the next generation of local leaders.

Junior Mayor elections are held each May as part of National Youth Week.

This year’s Junior Mayor is Cleo Kapogiannatos, a Grade 6 student from Our Lady of the Assumption Primary School, who was elected by her fellow student representatives to serve the City of Kingston.

The Rotary Club of Chelsea supports many overseas aid projects through Rotary International, including:

• Disaster Aid Australia
• ROMAC
• End Polio Now