By TANIA PHILLIPS
MORE than 200 people have gathered to honour the best of the Tweed’s young achievers at the fourth annual Kids In Community Awards at Twin Towns Services Club.
The awards, which originated in Lismore in 2000, are all about highlighting the significant work and achievements young people are making in our community.
For this year’s awards, 51 nominees were received and recognised on the night. Award categories and winners were:
* Caring for others – Olivia Jeavons, St Joseph’s College Banora Point
* Celebrating our cultural diversity – Tom Reubin-McCoy, Banora Point High School
* Serving our community – Raymond Hardcastle, Tweed River High School
* Leading their peers – Briana Morris-Grant, Murwillumbah High School
* Achieving against all odds – Hadassah Paulson, Tweed River High School
* Protecting our planet – Mali Hermans, Murwillumbah High School
* Adults supporting youth – Cool Heads Volunteers from St Joseph’s Youth Service
The Bronwyn Donaghy Memorial Award selected by the judges for the best ’all round’ nominee in terms of community service and achieving against the odds, was awarded to Kingscliff High School student and Tweed Heads PCYC volunteer Hana Mitchell, who is a promising young athlete with a degenerative eye disorder, rod-cone dystrophy.
Despite her vision impairment, 14-year-old Hana is positive and committed, and very active representing her school in the Far North Coast Dance, the state-wide Dance Spectacular, athletics and gymnastics.
She has represented NSW in discus, shot put and long jump and at the 2010 National School Sport Track and Field Championships, she secured two firsts and a second place.
For more photos, head to http://tweedcoast.starnewsgroup.com.au/.
