Victorian Youth Week kicked off in style on Friday as people of all ages gathered at Victory Park in Castlemaine to celebrate young people in our community.
Along with an afternoon of fun activities, Council announced winners of its 2019 Mount Alexander Youth Awards. The awards recognise leadership across six separate categories.
Congratulations to:
• Cohen Saunders – Youth Leadership Award in the Community
• Josh Rodgers – Youth Leadership Award in the Workplace
• Ada Levis – Youth Leadership Award in Music and the Arts
• Harriet O’Shea Carre – Youth Leadership Award in the Environment
• Amy Bachmann – Youth Leadership Awards in Sports and Recreation
• Oscar Johnson – Youth Leadership Award in Education.
“Our youth award winners are an incredibly impressive group of young people. It’s fantastic to see their impact on the community and celebrate their achievements,” said Darren Fuzzard, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council.
“We have an exceptional group of young leaders within our shire. I congratulate all the award winners and nominees,” he said.
Cohen Saunders won the community award through his significant volunteering roles both within school and the community.
“Once a week for the last 18 months Cohen has volunteered with local farmers Gung Hoe Growers. His dedication is astonishing as he’s up before dawn and rides his bike 45 minutes in the rain, heat, or frost to volunteer before school and get hands-on experience in sustainable farming,” said Mr Fuzzard.
“As winner of the workplace award Newstead teenager Josh Rodgers is impressing many with his innovative approach to business. He built his own solar powered coffee roasterie, and has established his own coffee roasting business,” he said.
“The winner of the Music and the Arts award is Ada Levis, who somehow manages to find time to attend school, host two weekly radio shows, perform in the popular local band Stop That Mammoth, volunteer on a number of committees and study radio broadcasting.
“Harriet O’Shea Carre is our environment award winner for her integral role in the Students Strike for Climate Change campaign. She has encouraged thousands of young people to get involved and stand up for action on climate change.
“Amy Bachmann is winner of the sports and recreation award for her achievement in the equestrian field of dressage. As a member of the Victorian inter-school team for five years, Amy is now one of the team’s leaders and mentors younger riders with training and support.
“Oscar Johnson is the winner of the education award through his passion for helping to develop skills in others. He has led a number of group programs including an anti-vandalism project, an art-related group maths activity and program to build creativity in classmates,” said Mr Fuzzard.
“Thank you to everyone involved in the festival, particularly the judges, presenters and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly on such a positive and energetic event,” said Mr Fuzzard.
The festival featured entertainment by young musicians including Isabella Fortuna, Maya Rose and local band Ethical Decimal, a Young Makers Market and activities such as tie dying.
The popular Youth Awards Festival was organised by members of Council’s Youth Advisory Group and FReeZA Committee (Eight Metre Speaker), Young Makers Market Committee, with help from Council.
The Council event was supported by a Victorian Government Youth Week Grants.