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Seventh Youth Recognition Awards shine a spotlight on region’s inspirational young people

The presentation of the seventh annual Wattle Range Council Youth Recognition Awards was held earlier this month at the Millicent Gallery.

The awards scheme is all about honouring the distric’s young people that are making a difference in the community.

Wattle Range Council manager community development Caroline Hill said the awards were made possible by the ongoing support from generous local sponsors.

“The awards make such a difference to these young people’s lives and to be recognised by their peers, teachers and colleagues is very satisfying and encourages them to keep pursuing their dreams,” she said.

The winners of each award received a $200 prize and engraved glass plaque, while all nominees were awarded a certificate of achievement.

2022 AWARD WINNERS Arts & Culture Award Sponsored by All in Balance Winner - Angus Patterson

Angus (pictured top right with Cr Sharon Cox) loves drawing and uses his passion and talent for art to also share his views on environmental and social issues. In 2019 Angus was a school captain at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School where he was an inspiration especially to the younger students and he has also been a valued member of the Beachport Surf Life Saving Club since the club’s inception in 2015. Angus started as a nipper and is now a Youth Member, receiving his Bronze Medallion last year and providing water cover for Nippers in the 21/22 summer season. Angus also provided first aid and water cover at the 2022 Beachport Duck Race. Angus attended a three day Surf Lifesaving SA Youth Development Camp held at the Fleurieu Peninsula to strengthen his lifesaving and team building skills and spent his summer as a VACSwim instructor. He is an avid reader, artist, student and sportsman.

Contributions to Community Award Sponsored by The Medical Clinic Millicent Winner - Alexandra (Lexy) Oliver

Lexy (pictured top far right) is a volunteer with South Australian Ambulance Service, giving back to the community while studying her nursing degree. In her second year of that course, where she is achieving distinctions for her work, Lexy still finds time to give at least 30 hours of service a month as an ambulance volunteer at both Beachport and Penola. Lexy also works three evenings a week in the catering division of the Millicent Hospital washing dishes, food preparation and cleaning and also works as a temporary office assistant for two clinical psychologists in Mount Gambier, where her duties are filing, accounts & appointments. At home, Lexy is a loving, caring sister, daughter and granddaughter, who prepares meals for her working family, when time permits and helps her father with cattle work and at 20 years of age, she shows a maturity and compassion far beyond her years.

Overcoming Challenging Life Situation Award Sponsored by Wattle Range Council Winner - Layla Evans

Layla (pictured above bottom left with Cr Sharon Cox) has worked hard to complete her SACE and is in the final stages of her Research Project, having also completed the Certificate III in Educational Support and is looking to gain employment as a support worker so she can inspire other young people living in a similar situation. Layla has overcome some life complexities to achieve her learning and wellbeing goals.

Inspiration by Innovation Award Sponsored by Kimberly Clark Australia (Millicent Mill)

Awarded to Georgia Winter Georgia (inset) is nothing if not busy and her commitment to a range of community activities is inspirational. Her SACE research project focused on the benefits of animals to mental health and she has been instrumental in Penola High School obtaining a school therapy dog who has shown many benefits. Georgia recently personally baked biscuits for every student at Penola High School to celebrate Dolly’s Day and handed them out to continue the anti-bullying message of spreading kindness. She organised the school formal but went above and beyond and turned it into a fundraiser and awareness night for anti-bullying platform Dolly’s Dream. She also gives her time and expertise to the Penola Little Athletics tiny tots, has represented Penola through Millicent basketball for 10 years as both a player and referee and often gives her time to referee interschool sports competitions for all ages.

Learning Success Award Sponsored by Glen Carron Transport Winner - Parker Dowley

It is always good to receive a positive review and there are no shortage of positive reviews for Parker (pictured above bottom right with Cr Sharon Cox)and his work in the local gymnastics club. “Parker has inspired my young son to do gymnastics. Parker is one of his coaches and he absolutely adores him. Parker is super patient in teaching him gymnastics. He is friendly and extremely kind. He always stops for a chat.” Parker’s commitment to gymnastics and his coaching prowess has seen him emerge as a role model for boys getting into the sport and now that passion and commitment has extended to parkour. He is the Millicent Gymnastics Club first male to compete in nine years and he has also showcased the club at the Millicent Markets and at the Lucindale Fields Days. He has learnt all six routines on rings, floor, pommel, high bar, parallel bar and vault with no other males doing the routines and made history by entering the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics stream.