MEETING up with Alpine Shire Councillor Noah Tanzen last week I wanted to know what makes a 21 year old become a councillor.

Noah is the youngest ever councillor for the Alpine Shire, and has been in the role for nine months.

He said he is still very much in the learning stage and fortunately he has some very good mentors.

Noah was born in Geelong and moved to Mt Beauty when he was around three years old.

He went to school here except for a couple of breaks when he moved with his mother to Morwell, then Wangaratta while his mother was studying.

He came back to Mt Beauty to finish school.

“I have always wanted to volunteer and help people, and with a keen interest in flying I started volunteering at the Mt Beauty Gliding Club when I was 13," Noah said.

"I received my gliding licence when I was 15, then my recreational pilots certificate when I was 17.

"I didn’t have a car driving licence, but sometime later I passed my car and truck driving licences.

"While still at school I did many part time jobs like gardening and hospitality.

"I joined the CFA as a volunteer, then encouraged my father to join...most people thought it was the other was around.”

When asked what direction he would like go career wise, Noah said “something along the lines of the firefighters pathway, I had a six month contract with Forest Fire Management working five to seven days a week".

"With what little spare time I have I like to go hiking, and I’m into music and play percussion, resulting in a few gigs with bands in places like Yakandandah," he said.

Council business is first and foremost on Noah’s mind, and he likes to be available not only for the Mt Beauty locals but for those who live in places like Bunegudgea.

He is happy to answer questions whenever he can on council issues, and at the moment there are a lot of queries on grant applications.

I asked Noah “Do you have any ambitions to become a politician?”

The answer was “Never say never, for the time being I’m concentrating on local issues.”

Watch this young man with exceptional leadership qualities in the future.

Noah is happy to answer queries from people, and he can be contacted via email at NoahT@alpineshire.vic.gov.au