2026 Junior Mayor and Deputy Junior Mayor announced

The Gold Coast’s 2026 Junior Council Executive Committee have been sworn in to their new roles as future leaders of the Gold Coast. 

 

Olivia Voight from Saint Stephen’s College in Upper Coomera was announced as the 34th Junior Mayor and Sejal Verma from King’s Christian College in Pimpama as the Deputy Junior Mayor.  

 

Acting Mayor Mark Hammel was joined by fellow Councillors to congratulate the students on their appointments on the City of Gold Coast’s Junior Council Executive Committee.  

 

“The Gold Coast’s vibrant young people make up 16% of our population and it’s important we give them a voice,” Acting Mayor Hammel said. 

 

“The City’s Junior Mayor program gives students the opportunity to learn about the role of local government, develop skills in public speaking, networking and most importantly leadership.” 

 

The Junior Council comprises of 150 Year 10 and 11 students from 40 Gold Coast high schools.  

 

There are 83% of Gold Coast schools involved in the program making it the largest youth civic leadership program in South East Queensland. 

 

The Junior Council is led by the Junior Mayor, Deputy Junior Mayor and the Junior Council Executive Committee. 

 

Junior Mayor Olivia Voight said, “I’m incredibly honoured to serve as 2026 Junior Mayor and look forward to leading a welcoming, engaged council that makes a meaningful impact for young people across the Gold Coast.” 

 

The 2026 Junior Council Executive Committee comprises: 

Ashana Forrest – Palm Beach Currumbin High School 

Rose D’Alisa – AB Patterson College 

Sarika Katoch – St Hilda’s School 

Olivia Vanderkemp – Pimpama State Secondary School 

Timothy Wissa – Queensland Academies Health Sciences Camp 

 

This year, Coomera Anglican College was welcomed to the program for the first time.