Young Gold Coast volunteers honoured |
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| Posted by editor (editor) on Aug 27 2009 |
| 2009 >> |
A young volunteer from the Gold Coast has been honoured with a prestigious award for his outstanding contribution to his local community. Community Services Minister Karen Struthers presented the Queensland Young Volunteer Awards to seven individuals and two groups during a ceremony in Brisbane today.
Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden, 16, of Arundel, received the Community Volunteer Award in the 12-17 years category.
“The awards recognise and reward the positive contributions of young people aged 12 to 25 who offer their time and energy to make a difference to communities across Queensland,” Ms Struthers said.
“Young award winners like Ryan are an inspiration. (Profile follows)
“They strengthen our communities by supporting local organisations and initiating innovative projects that are improving the lives of vulnerable Queenslanders.
“These young people are held in high esteem and were nominated by community leaders, organisations and teachers. I commend them for their energy, their commitment and their willingness to get involved.”
The Queensland Young Volunteer Awards were presented in two age groups across four categories: green, young entrepreneurs, school action, community and art and culture as well as an award for school action volunteers. Winners received a $500 cash prize.
The Queensland Young Volunteer Awards were presented in two age groups across four categories: green, young entrepreneurs, school action, community and art and culture as well as an award for school action volunteers. Winners received a $500 cash prize.
“Young volunteers provide an incredibly valuable service, whether it’s reaching out to people who need help online, planting trees for regeneration projects or fundraising for social action groups,” State Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said.
“Apart from providing a very public opportunity to say thank you, these awards promote the winners as role models to inspire other young people to volunteer and increase the community’s awareness of the contribution young volunteers make to Queensland.”
Mr Lawlor said about one-third of young Queenslanders aged 18 to 24 served their community as volunteers.
Mr Lawlor said about one-third of young Queenslanders aged 18 to 24 served their community as volunteers.
“While this is very encouraging, I urge other young people to explore the many different ways of volunteering and benefit from the volunteer experience,” he said.
“Volunteering helps build stronger, more connected and caring communities.
“It’s time to renew our spirit of service if we want tomorrow’s Queensland to be a fairer and more caring state. Ryan and other Gold Coast young people like him can lead the way.”
The Young Volunteer Awards initiative complements the Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland ambitions of supporting safe and caring communities and increasing the proportion of Queenslanders involved as volunteers in their communities by 50 per cent.
To find more information about volunteering, visit:
Volunteering Queensland www.volqld.org.au
Get Involved www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Profile WINNER:
Community Volunteers 12-17 years
Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden, 16, of Arundel
Ryan supports young people with a disability aged seven to 18 years in an integrated community access program run through Family Support Group (FSG) Australia.
Through the Just for Kids program, Ryan mentors young people as they take part in activities to assist their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.
Ryan supports young people with a disability aged seven to 18 years in an integrated community access program run through Family Support Group (FSG) Australia. Through the Just for Kids program, Ryan mentors young people as they take part in activities to assist their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.
Every Saturday Ryan takes his ‘buddies’ to have fun with swimming, hydrotherapy, bowling, movies, workshops and recreational events.
Ryan fits all this in despite being the youngest student at the University of Queensland studying pharmacy, and his efforts have inspired FSG to extend its Volunteer Program into TAFE colleges and universities.
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 3:53 PM
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