The region’s youth have a chance to be recognised for the part they play in the community in the Bankstown Youth Awards.

Mayor Khal Asfour made the announcement in the lead-up to International Youth Day (12 August).

“We have so many talented and community conscious youth in our city and it’s time they were recognised,” Mayor Asfour said.

“Just last month, more than 50 young people took part in a graffiti-removing project at Revesby Skate Park and delivered Meals on Wheels to our elderly citizens. This is fantastic community work.”

Nominations can be made online at www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au or by calling Council on 9707 9605 and close on 21 September 2012.

Mayor Asfour said Bankstown will be staging a Youth Debating Competition on Friday 10 August at the Council Chambers.

“This will be our feature event for International Youth Day and is the brainchild of Council’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC),” Mayor Asfour said.

“This year’s International Youth Day theme is Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth, which is exactly what we in Bankstown are promoting.

“So far this year, hundreds of our students took part in National Youth Week (13-22 April), we have staged a very successful Youth Summit where young people discussed the issues affecting them in Bankstown, while we have supported Talented Advancement Program (TAP) which has produced prestigious competition winning vocalists.

“Bankstown is also being represented at the World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas this month by the Royal Knights Dance Crew.”