Council congratulates the Young Citizen of the Year nominees for the Golden Plains Shire Council Community Awards 2021.
The Golden Plains Shire Council (GPSC) Community Awards 2021 are an opportunity to formally acknowledge extraordinary individuals and community groups who make an outstanding contribution to Golden Plains Shire.
This year, an impressive field of local residents and community groups have been nominated by their fellow community members for awards in four categories: Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Impact Award.
Congratulations to the five nominees for the GPSC Young Citizen of the Year 2021:
Tarni Crocker
Tarni Crocker of Teesdale attended the School for Student Leadership in 2021. As part of this program, Tarni developed a BMX / Pump Track for young people in the Golden Plains community and led a group of students to bring the concept to life, including coordinating a survey of students that attracted more than 300 responses. Tarni also sourced letters of support from community stakeholders, sourced quotes from providers and prepared a detailed presentation that she has delivered to her school council. Congratulations Tarni!
Rachel Kaiser
Rachel Kaiser of Maude has been instrumental in establishing a podcast for young people in Golden Plains Shire. Rachel recognised that young people can find it hard to locate information that relates to them and along with two other local young people, coordinated a youth-led podcast about events, activities, programs and services for young people in Golden Plains Shire. The group recorded their first episode in September 2021 and hope to make it a monthly program. Rachel is an incredibly community-minded and a generous young person who has a deep passion for the Golden Plains Shire community. Congratulations Rachel!
Georgia Kitchen
Georgia Kitchen of Teesdale joined the Golden Plains Youth Events Organising Group in 2021. She is incredibly kind, friendly and supportive of her fellow group members. In a year of uncertainty, she has been a reliable participant who brings great energy to the group and approaches every task with a smile on her face. She is a natural leader and the other group members thrive off her enthusiasm and good nature. Georgia also brings great ideas to the group that are grounded in strong community need and interest. Congratulations Georgia!
Alisha Nurnaitis
Alisha Nurnaitis of Bannockburn is a passionate and valuable member of the Regional Youth Voice Program, which is made up of 12 young people from 4 local municipalities. The group meet monthly to discuss regional issues that impact young people, with isolation and loneliness key themes in 2021. Alisha has been central to the design of an online resource to support young people experiencing difficulties with the transition from secondary school to further study. The resource aims to normalise the fears and anxiety induced during periods of adolescent transition by hearing from the experiences of young people with lived experience. Alisha brings a mature and considered insight to the group and is passionate about improving opportunities for young people in Golden Plains Shire. Congratulations Alisha!
Bridie Orr
Bridie Orr of Inverleigh was the school captain at Bannockburn P – 12 College and during 2021, she became the youth representative on the Golden Plains Youth Hub Community Reference Group. This membership sees Bridie participate in monthly meetings with other community stakeholders to ensure the voice of young people is represented in the planning and decision-making. Bridie also presented at the Golden Plains Youth Hub sod-turning event that was attended by State and Federal Members of Parliament and community stakeholders. Bridie is a strong and considered voice for young people in our community and her continued involvement in the Golden Plains Youth Hub is invaluable. Congratulations Bridie!
The GPSC Community Awards 2021 nominees will be recognised, and the award-winners will be named, at an event on Tuesday 25 January. In line with Council’s COVIDSafe plan, event attendance is limited and by invitation.