Articles

Jenelle, Roving reporter

National Youth Week - Macedon Ranges Youth Awards

The Kyneton Town Hall was alive with energy and enthusiasm for the 2009 Macedon Ranges Shire Youth Awards on Thursday April 2, 2009. The usual stiff atmosphere, solemn music and half-hearted clapping of presentation nights and graduation ceremonies were replaced by thunderous applause, whistling and commentary from the crowd.

The annual awards, now in their fourth year, aim to acknowledge, encourage, reward and promote the positive achievements of the young people who lived, worked or studied in the Shire. This year there were 115 nominations.

Live performances

The night showcased the talents of young people including breakdancing, singing, art and photography and a slide show of BMX and skate competitions. The audience were blown away by the flips, head spinning and rhythm of 17-year-old breakdancer Billy Gibblings-John. Billy was the winner of the Individual Dance Award, and his crew were the winners of the Group Dance Award. Individual Music Award winner Sarah Wilkinson also mesmerised the town hall with her strong, powerful voice.

Between performances, young people in the Shire involved with the FReeZA program Music in the Sticks (new window) and members of the Lancefield Youth Space presented category winners with awards.

Arts awards

Macedon Ranges Mayor Cr John Letchford opened the awards night and presented the Visual Arts Awards. Sam Fisher received the highly commended award, Henty O’Sullivan and Tanya Morham came equal second, and Natalie Grantham achieved first place.

Natalie also took out first prize in the photography competition with Tyler Ridgeway coming in second and Richard Tole placed third. Eliza Moore, Alex Sheperd Clark and Mary Fleming were highly commended. Zoe Corsino, Lily Clougtang-Crompton and Toby Gujer received encouragement awards.

Other winners included Jane McKinnon and Neil Coulson, who received the Individual Drama Award. The Group Drama Award went to Kyneton-based Qriousity Youth Theatre, who have performed a variety of shows, musicals, one-act plays, street theatre and festival performances. Local band Blame Florida - also members of Music in the Sticks - achieved the Music Group Award.

Community and business awards

The young people fighting the February fires were recognised with CFA volunteers Tristian Smith, Holly Biggins, Zane Reeve, Chris James, Harrison Vermont, Vicki Davis, Dean Lavars and Nick Waldhauser receiving the Community Safety Award. The Community Initiative Award went to Rosalee Neill and the Leadership Winner was Lauren Taylor.

VCAL group Moondried Catering, who catered for the event, won the Group Business Initiative Award. Individual Business Initiative winner was Laura Branch, who founded Starz Dance Centre, and the Individual Trade Skills Award went to Jessie Geraghty-Wreford.

Sport & academic awards

The popular Individual Sports Award went to Katherine Climas, and Macedon Ranges Cats ‘A’ netball team received the Group Sports Award. This year’s addition of the Alternative Sport Award saw weightlifter Rhys Archer from Kyneton step up to the stage to be a joint winner with Australian Petanque Team member Hayden Kinghorn, also from Kyneton.

Academic winners included the group Poll Position, and the individual winner was Leah Petts.

The Macedon Ranges Youth Awards night was part of National Youth Week, which saw councils and governments around Australia celebrate young people’s achievements and contribution to community.

For more about National Youth Week, check out our National Youth Week page.

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