Get involved in your community

Cr O'Neil said young people wanted to be encouraged and asked to be involved.

He said there was great reward in giving back to the community, whether that was through APEX clubs, show societies, local government or other groups.

"I think there's a real void - particularly in the west - in terms of my generation becoming involved, and I think there needs to be a cultural shift," he said.

"They have a sense of wanting to be involved, but they just need that little bit of a push; so my urging is for the older members of our community who are still involved, that they seek out the next generation who come through and ask them."

Cr O'Neil said it was imperative to have a wide range of representation to ensure communities remained diverse.

He has been in local government for the past two-and-a-half years, and has worked for community-based natural resource management organisations in the area of sustainable agriculture.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy local government.

"It's been a challenge - there is no question about that - but it is incredibly rewarding to make decisions very much at a micro level that can have such an impact on a wide range of the community you represent."

In many cases the catalyst to become involved came via an invitation from a senior member of community groups, and Cr O'Neil said there was a need to drill down to those people.

Without the encouragement of senior councillors, Cr O'Neil said he would not be in local government.

"If we see something in someone else that we think they can bring to the group in which we want them to be involved, we need to ask them. I've found the older members are thrilled when they see a fresh face come in.

"They may not like every idea that you put forward as someone new into any of the groups or entities, but they are willing to listen and give it a go."

Cr O'Neil recently completed a three-year term as federal president of the Young National Party, and highlighted the need for farmers and other people who live in rural communities to become involved in the political process.

"Whether they feel strongly about local issues and they seek to be involved in local government or at the other tiers of government, they need to get involved in political parties.

"I encourage people who reside in rural and regional communities - whether they are on the land or living in towns like Roma - that they seek out opportunities to contribute to the political process.

"If they don't have a say now, we can't turn around in a generation and whinge because we're not happy with the way our future has turned out.

"For me, it doesn't matter if it's Green, it's Labor, it's Liberal or National - I just really believe we need to be encouraging people to stand up for what they believe in and for our generation to have a say in tomorrow's future."

He has also taken great pleasure in being involved in the Roma Show Society for the past five years.

"It's hard work, absolutely, but there is a real thrill at the opening of the show to see so many familiar faces and fresh faces coming in and being exposed to all the things that a rural show brings."