Celebrating our amazing youth

WHETHER they’re hitting sixes, selflessly volunteering or supporting their peers, our young people from the Bellarine Peninsula are making a profound impact in our community.

This year’s Geelong Youth Awards recognised that contribution, with three inspiring young people from the Bellarine among an impressive line-up of winners.

Active Achievement Award winner Tahlia Denham, 20, has excelled at not one but three different sports – cricket, netball and basketball.

Tahlia showcased her sporting versatility this year, winning gold medals in the women’s and mixed netball at the Australian Deaf Games and a premiership at the National Cricket Inclusion Championship.

The Curlewis local’s tenacity and determination also earned her a spot on the Australian Deaf Geckos women’s basketball team.

Initially, she failed to make the team. But she stayed and practiced for another hour and a half, improving her game dramatically.

This impressed the coaches so much they decided to give her a chance to wear green and gold at the Asia Pacific Deaf Basketball Championships this September.

Locally, Tahlia is perhaps best known for her cricketing prowess.

A handy allrounder for Alexander Thomson Cricket Club’s women’s XI, she also regularly competes against the men for North Shore.

Fellow Bellarine Peninsula award winner Skye Thompson has shown equally impressive dedication and versatility in the world of volunteering.

As bushfires raged in Ballarat in February earlier this year, Skye put up her hand to organise meals and assist firefighters and evacuees.

But this was nothing new for the 17-year-old, who volunteers each week to assist the homeless by providing food, conversation, comfort, bedding and clothing.

As a leader at Kidzone – a Salvation Army program supporting families to build community connections – Skye is a friendly presence to those she helps.

She also selflessly gives her time to an incredible array of community activities including the Disabled Surfing Association, sporting carnivals, fundraising for the Epilepsy Foundation, the World’s Greatest Shave, Walk for Autism and the Red Shield Appeal.

She does all this while balancing a part time job, full-time studies and the responsibilities of being a young carer for her sibling, who requires daily supervision and behaviour moderation.

Also from the Bellarine Peninsula is 15-year-old Inspiration Award winner Casper Horne, who demonstrated remarkable initiative in creating the SLAY Project.

Casper sought grants from multiple organisations to found the project and has inspired other young people through their motivation and passion in creating supportive environments.

He also serves on a youth advisory group for the City of Greater Geelong, elevating the voice of young people and highlighting their needs.

Casper actively participates in various programs and initiatives taking on a leadership role and acting as a positive role model to their peers.

As a Bellarine ward councillor, I am thrilled to see our young people so well-represented at the Geelong Youth Awards.

The awards are all about recognising and celebrating people like Tahlia, Skye and Casper, sharing their stories and giving them a voice to inspire others.

Cr Trent Sullivan

Mayor, City of Greater Geelong