Page 3535 - Week 11 - Thursday, 19 September 2013
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Australia. The program focuses on the development of leadership and other citizenship qualities. Young people involved in the program demonstrate academic achievements as well as skills in leadership, personality, sportsmanship, public speaking and citizenship. The program provides an opportunity for students to engage in open discussions, meetings with professionals and community service. The aim of the youth of the year program is to provide outstanding role models for young people and to increase their confidence.
The youth of the year program is promoted in schools and local communities across Australia. Candidates are judged in their local Lions clubs. Winners then move into the zone, regional, district, state and finally national competitions with the national winner travelling overseas to the international youth camp. Winners are also involved in a group tour of the national winner’s home state and receive scholarships to use for further education and development. Entry to the program is open to all young people between the age of 15 and 19 years who are currently attending a high school or secondary school.
I think it is also appropriate that I recognise the longstanding and generous support of the youth of the year quest by the National Australia Bank. The bank gives generously in a number of ways, including the contribution of more than 375 employees across metropolitan and regional Australia who have participated in the program in a voluntary capacity as judges over the last year alone.
As someone who participated in the program myself, I can attest to the wonderful experience the competition provides entrants, and I encourage all young people to consider applying for next year’s competition.
On 5 September I was pleased to attend the Lions Club of Gungahlin’s youth of the year public speaking competition at the Gold Creek Country Club in Nicholls. The event was a great success, with Lions guests and family and friends of the entrants in attendance to hear two very impressive students in the competition. I would like to commend participants Stefan Qin and Jessica Luton on their superb presentations and the professional manner in which they interacted on the night. I am sure that both of these talented students have a very bright future ahead of them. I wish Stefan well for the next stage of the competition.
I would like to place on the record my thanks to the committee of the Lions Club of Gungahlin: the president, Steve Holm, the secretary, Bonnie Fox, the treasurer, Glynis Whitfield, and the chairman, Danny Howard. I would also like to thank Graham and Robyn Erickson for their service to the community through Lions and for inviting me to attend the club’s youth of the year competition. The Gungahlin Lions Club, like so many service clubs, punches well above its weight and contributes greatly to our community. I thank all the lions and their families for the sacrifices they make in the service of Canberra.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate all the participants in this year’s competition. For more information about the Gungahlin Lions Club, I recommend members visit the website at www.gungahlin.act.lions.org.au and the national website at www.lionsclubs.org.au.
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