This follows a successful meeting between the students and the mayor, general manager and youth officer of Greater Taree City Council.

Students from years 11 and 12 met with Eddie Loftus, Gerard Jose and Bree Dennis for an hour-long discussion of their goals and methods by which they may be achieved,

The school is planning to establish the youth council to follow up from a successful youth leadership forum held with representatives from regional schools at Wingham High this year.

Wingham High captain Rowan Kendall, one of the driving forces behind the idea, was very pleased with the reception from the council.

He said Cr Loftus, Mr José and Ms Dennis were all very keen to support the idea and see it come to fruition.

The students are continuing their work and hope to have a proposal to bring to the new council before Christmas.

This would hopefully allow the first meeting of the young participants to be held early next year.

Rowan said the students at Wingham High were very enthusiastic about the idea as some felt they sometimes did not have a voice on issues concerning them, particularly living in a remote area.

He said the youth council would provide them a platform of co-operation with Greater Taree City Council to work towards benefits for local youth.