Too often we hear the negative things that happen in our community – particularly with teenagers.
However at Twin Towns on Thursday the Kids In Community Awards were a reminder that there are some amazing kids in our community who are doing brilliant things to enrich the world and that our future is actually in pretty good hands.
More than 230 people headed to the showroom at Twin Towns for the awards which saw 48 nominees vying for 14 awards.
Mind you it was just amazing just to be nominated and each nominee received a gift bag, a flower and a certificate to remember the night by.
President of the Kids In Community awards, Mark Madden said it was an “inspirational night with our nominees, the entertainers and of course our special guest presenter, Aaron Murphy.”
Aaron Murphy was a young surf lifesaver who has fought-back to reclaim his life after suffering a serious head injury when struck by a car. He is now aiming to make the Olympics in Kayaking.
He was on-hand to hand out the awards and inspire those in the room. All the entertainment was provided by young Tweed performers including a didgeridoo and Aboriginal dance by Dylan Brown and Zhi Shilling of Pottsville Beach Primary School and performances by Kingscliff High’s Susannah Smith, Sophie McMahon and Jesse Aviu and Milan Martin of St Patricks College.
“On the night we raised over $1,500 from the auction and raffle, with the Joel Parkinson autographed surfboard going for $800 and was purchased by Paul Milner from Grill’d Beauty Burgers at Coolangatta,” Mr Madden said.
“The awards scheme is totally covered by sponsorship and donations by local businesses and individuals, with over 50 businesses contributing.
“Businesses wanting to get involved in next year’s awards, can start contacting me now at the PCYC in Tweed.”
And the winners were: Brooke Mallard – Caring for Others (13-18 years), Edyn Castle – Caring for Others (19-25 years), Karen Duroux – Celebrating Cultural Diversity (13-18 years), Lynette Larcombe – Celebrating Cultural Diversity (19-25 years), Emily Longworth – Serving our Community, Nadia Hancock – Raising Funds for Charity (13-18 years), Xanthie Slight – Raising Funds for Charity (19-25 years), Hannah Wells – Enriching Community Life (13-18 years), Matthew Kirkham – Enriching Community Life (19-25 years), Connor Taylor – Leading their Peers (13-18 years), Calib Pevy – Against All Odds (13-18 years), Bec Couch – Adults Supporting Youth, Tweed Youth Times – Media Promoting Youth, Jackson Ross – Bronwyn Donaghy (all rounder) Memorial Award.
This year’s KIC Tweed Shire Committee members (who deserved an award themselves) were: Gaye Breen, Michelle Dowling, Jana Cooper, Jay Rickard, Karen Low, Mark Madden, Jacinta O’Keeffe and June Richards.
