Dinner celebrates region’s young achievers

The annual Wests Illawarra-WAVE fm Illawarra Youth Achievement Awards were presented at a gala dinner at the club on Friday night (28 May).

More than 60 nominees and their families joined club represents, sponsors and special guests in the club’s auditorium for the 11th annual presentation dinner.

Wollongong Hawks captain Mat Campbell was the special guest speaker, giving a fascinating talk about his career in the National Basketball League and as an Australian representative.

Mat also described how he had been inspired to save the Wollongong Hawks through a community campaign when it looked certain the club would fold at the end of the 2008-2009 season. It is history now that the Hawks not only survived but went on to reach the NBL grand final series.

Star athlete Ryan Gregson also spoke about his career, and his aspirations for the Commonwealth Games in India in October, where he will be representing Australia in the 800m and 1500m events. Ryan acknowledged the on-going support from Wests Illawarra, which he said had been extremely valuable in assisting him compete internationally.

Wests Illawarra Board Chairman Trevor Castle welcomed guests, and thanked sponsors WAVE fm, Daley and Co, Eastern Commercial Lawyers, Westpac Bank, Wisdom Advertising and Design, Stockland and Harvey Norman for their ongoing support.

The 2010 Wests Illawarra WAVE-FM Youth Achievement Awards

Winners are:

ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ARTS

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Winner: Mitch Christie (Bulli High School) ($1500)

Encouragement awards: Anjali Iyer (Smiths Hill High School) and Maddy Silk (Warilla High School) ($500 each)

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Winner: Halina Leung ($1500) – University of Wollongong
Encouragement awards: Lachlan Jones (Smiths Hill High School) and Thomas Doyle (University of Wollongong) ($500 each)

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
SPECIAL AWARD FOR HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Angus Morris – Kiama High School/University of Wollongong ($1500)

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Joint winners:  Elise Boyle (St Mary Star of the Sea College) and Young Dae Kim (Illawarra Grammar School) ($1500 each)

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Winner: Nadia Perera (Smith’s Hill High School) ($1500)
Encouragement awards: Mandy Wang (Smith’s Hill High School) and Georgie Fisher (St Mary Star of the Sea College) ($500 each)

TERTIARY
Joint winners: Michael Cardoso (University of Wollongong) and Rebecca Cross (University of Wollongong) ($1500 each)

CITIZENSHIP
Winner: Parrys Raines (St Mary Star of the Sea College) ($1500)
Encouragement awards: Tshibanda Gracia Ngoy (University of Wollongong) and Keely Aschenwald (Kanahooka High School) ($500 each)

SPORTS ACHIEVEMENT
JUNIOR

Winner: Caitlin Foord (Illawarra Sports High) ($1500)
Encouragement awards: Jack Millar (Illawarra Grammar School) and Emma McKeon (Illawarra Grammar School) ($500 each)

SENIOR
Winner: Jack Doyle (Lake Illawarra High School) ($1500)
Encouragement awards: Kizziah Plumb (Illawarra Sports High School) and Zoe Elkerton (Warilla High School) ($500 each)

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – PRINCIPAL’S NOMINEE
Sarah Rooney (Kanahooka High School)  ($1500)
Tegan Spink (St Josephs High School) ($1500)