Sam’s living up to his max potential with Seagulls

One of the more ambitious youth community leadership projects in the Seagulls-run Max Potential program takes place this Saturday.
A group of around 20 students and local residents, led by Sam Bowkett from Kingscliff High School, will head for the Cabarita Beach to tend the dunes.  The group will play a part in regenerating the area by planting native shrubs.
Sam is eager to see his project as the beginning of ongoing community commitment.
“I hope that, after Saturday, many of the local residents and students will continue their involvement with the beach,” Sam said.
“It has been a real eye-opener. I have learned a lot about trees.”
Sam, who is mentored by Bruce Marwick of Essential Energy, is also being nominated for a ‘Young Legends’ Award through Keep Australia Beautiful for the initiative.
The Max Potential program is a 22-week state-wide event designed to develop youth leadership skills and maximise individuals’ potential. It runs from May to October 2011.
The program offers local youths guidance on Life Principles aimed at maximising their potential, particularly in leadership and entrepreneurial directions.
Seagulls is in its second year as the Max Potential club managing the north coast area. The club role includes event organisation, attracting and providing coaches and supplying meeting and exhibition facilities as well as financial support.
The program was created in 2006 by the Future Achievement Australia Foundation and is run through Clubs NSW and its participating member clubs through the state and volunteer coaches are drawn from community organisations, business, industry and schools. They receive Max Potential coach leadership training and are then matched with youths aged from 16 to 25 years for one-on-one coaching.
Other Max Potential projects undertaken by the Tweed-based students include Street SmART – countering graffiti problems, Autism – Parent Networking group, Creative Youth Involvement – Writing Hip Hop Lyrics Workshop, Nursing Home Outreach – communicating with the elderly and Elev8 Youth – a Youth Activity meet-up.
All students involved in the program will meet up at Seagulls on October 11 to present the results of their Community Service projects to family, friends and community members.