{"id":54971,"date":"2021-07-10T04:00:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T18:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=54971"},"modified":"2021-07-08T09:12:09","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T23:12:09","slug":"youth-achievements-surf-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/youth-achievements-surf-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"Youth achievements in Surf Coast celebrated"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR 19-year-old James Staley, school was tough. Unable to read or write, he was extremely grateful for the support of his learning aides.<\/p>\n

As he got older, James decided he wanted to give the same support back to the community and joined Lorne SES where he’s been their most active member since the pandemic began.<\/p>\n

This commitment to community and desire to help people was recognised last month during the seventh annual Surf Coast Council Youth Awards, where he was one of six winners.<\/p>\n

“Because I have a disability and can’t read and write, getting a job has been really hard. But since joining the SES I have purpose, and that purpose is to help people,” James said.<\/p>\n

“I’ve been with the SES for three years now, I don’t have a driver’s license so I ride my bike to the call outs. I was really shocked to be a winner as there were other first responders there.<\/p>\n

“It’s such a good community and I get to help when they’re having a bad day. If there’s a fallen tree, or someone’s broken their leg at Erskine Falls I can help out.<\/p>\n

“It is one of the only things I know I am really good at, and helping people makes me happy.”<\/p>\n

The event, held at Wurdi Baierr Stadium, was a celebration of young people and their contributions and achievements across the shire’s rural townships and regional community hubs.<\/p>\n

This year there were 23 nominations, featuring 47 young people in four categories: Arts, Community, Environment, and Sport. The winners were:<\/p>\n