Glen Innes Severn Council is celebrating another achievement for the community, with The Youth Booth named a finalist in the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.
The Youth Booth has been recognised in the Community Development category for councils with populations under 100,000, placing it among leading community programs across New South Wales.
Mayor Margot Davis said the nomination reflected the positive impact the Youth Booth continued to have on young people and the broader community.
“The Youth Booth is something our community should feel incredibly proud of,” Davis said.
“It’s not just a building or a program, it’s a place where young people feel safe, supported and confident to be themselves, and that makes a real difference.”
The nomination follows previous state-level recognition in 2025 for the Youth Booth’s Youth Week program, which was planned and delivered in partnership with local young people.
Davis said the repeated recognition highlighted the consistency and quality of the work being undertaken with young people.
“When a community service keeps being recognised, it tells you it’s doing something right. The Youth Booth has grown with our young people, listened to them, and adapted to what they actually need, and that’s why it works,” Davis said.
The Youth Booth operates under a strong youth-led model, with young people actively shaping programs, culture and expectations within the space. The approach has helped create a positive and respectful environment, where older participants support others and take pride in the space they have helped build.
Programs delivered through the Youth Booth support wellbeing, life skills, creativity and connection, while prioritising inclusion. This includes ensuring First Nations young people can connect with culture and Country, and that LGBTQIA+ young people feel safe, welcomed and valued.
“What stands out to me is the sense of ownership young people have. They don’t just turn up, they help lead, support one another and look after the space. That’s incredibly powerful,” Davis said.
The Youth Booth’s success has also been reflected in its ability to secure ongoing funding through competitive state government grant programs, helping ensure the service remains sustainable despite limited resources and a small team.
“This recognition belongs to the Youth Workers who show up time and time again, and to the young people who make the Youth Booth what it is,” Davis said.
Winners of the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards will be announced next month.
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