Guest Speaker Report

Wednesday 8 June 2011

 by Rotarian Ian Johnson (reporter)

Last week we had the Youth Awards Presentation Night. Our MC for the night was PP Grahame True. We were entertained by the St Patrick’s College String Ensemble.

President Peter spoke about the history of the awards and Rotary’s many programs involving youth. He advised us that 430 young people in our local area had benefited directly from our Club’s involvement with youth programs this year.

The Mayor of Strathfield Cr Tony Maroun then spoke. He pointed out that “today’s youth are tomorrow’s future”. He spoke about the various activities that the Council is involved in that benefit local youth including the drop in centre that operates after school hours. He stated that the Council was proud to partner Rotary in the Strathfield Youth Achievement Awards.

Joe Sumegi from the Council then presented the first three awards:

• 1. The Community Service Award was presented to Benjamin Saroufim, a student of St. Patrick’s College. Benjamin through his own initiative raised over $600-00 for Lucas Gardens School, a school for students with disabilities.

• 2.  The Senior Individual Sports Award was presented to Isabella Mercuri, a student of Santa Sabina College. Isabella has been a member of the NSW state water polo team since 2007 in her relevant age category.

• 3.  The Junior Individual Sports Award was presented to Alwyn Mi, a student of Trinity Grammar. Alwyn has achieved outstanding results in pole vaulting and is the current Australian Junior Champion in his age group.

Nadia Hendryani, Benjamin Saroufim and Jack Kearney

The remaining three awards were presented by Rotarian, Professor Paul White:

• 4.  The Arts and Culture Award was presented to Jack Kearney, a student of St. Patrick’s College. Jack is an outstanding debater. He is the 2011 champion speaker in the Year 9 Division of the Catholic Schools Debating Association Public Speaking Competition.

• 5.  The Environment, Science and Technology Award was presented to Nadia Hendryani, a student of Santa Sabina College. Nadia has successfully participated in many industry science competitions. She has a particular interest in the role science and technology can play in preserving the environment.

• 6. The Team Sports Award was presented to the St. Patrick’s College First XI Cricket Team. The team went through the season undefeated at home and won the Independent Sporting Association schoolboy’s open competition (Photo below)

Jack Kearney then gave an excellent short speech on behalf of the award recipients. He thanked Rotary and the Council for their encouragement of local youth. He also thanked the teachers for making their nominations. He noted the diversity of youth achievement in our local community. Finally he said that it was great to have the efforts and achievements of local youth acknowledged so that they could move forward in the knowledge that they can make a difference locally and globally.

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