“Always ready to help the community … always with a smile on her face.”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With those words, Rosie Yapp was named the winner of Forbes’ 2017 Youth Citizen Award at Tuesday night’s Youth Week presentation.
The Year 12 Red Bend student is heavily involved in the St Vincent de Paul youth group, Reading Down Town and Red Cross’s breakfast club.
She has helped organise everything from pancake lunches to mini-Olympics and uses her musical talents to help with playground and youth masses.
The quiet achiever, who was shocked to be named as this year’s award recipient, said her volunteering is motivated by her love of people.
“I love helping out,” she said.
“I like people. I do a lot of stuff with my mum (Maree Yapp) – that’s how I got involved with Reading Down Town.”
Tuesday night’s awards recognised the contribution and achievements of a number of local young people.
Sports volunteer – Janssen Mores and Britney Dukes
This award acknowledges the dedication our young people show to their chosen sport and the hours they volunteer to benefit our sporting community.
Janssen is an umpire and volunteer with both Forbes Netball and Forbes Basketball associations.
She is Forbes High’s sports captain as well as a member or captain in netball, soccer, basketball, squash, touch football and volleyball.
Brittney volunteers as a netball umpire, also helping with set-up and jobs like sweeping wet courts.
Education Awards – Chelsea Turner, Forbes High and Jackson Burton, Red Bend
Students can be nominated for improvement in their school performance, academic achievement, community spirit, leadership skills or good sportsmanship.
Chelsea Turner has been dux of her Forbes High class for five consecutive years.
She is on the school debating team, student representative council, Youth Wellness Committee and volunteers in mental health awareness week.
Jackson Burton has been the College’s dux from years 7-10.
He has been in debating teams, the SRC, won the Principal’s essay-writing competition and has also been involved in public speaking, peer support, musicals and sports.
Brighter Future Award – Cheyanne Stokes-Hicks
This award is for apprentices, trainees or students, participating in tertiary education or work placement. They must have demonstrated strong commitment, consistent effort, a high level of passion and determination to pursue their chosen career path.
Cheyanne has completed her Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training with TAFE Western and is now enrolled in Certificate III in Employment and Training.
She is described as a committee, outstanding student who has taken on her studies in a self-directed learning environment.
Youth Citizenship Award Highly Commended – Elise Dukes
This award is presented to a young person who has had an active and positive role in our community. They contribution can include volunteer work, taking the lead in organising events, charity work or an outstanding contribution to sporting or cultural organisations.
Elise is a peer leader at Forbes High School. She is a member of the school’s Wellness Hub, volunteers with Forbes Hockey and Meals on Wheels.
She is described as a “tireless worker” for the Forbes Youth Advisory Committee, planning the Super Mega Fun Day, Youth Awards, Youthfest, Spectacular Screenings, Ben Hall Festival and Summer Beach Party.
She will represent Forbes at the NSW State Library for Ideation youth conference. This year’s theme is “inclusion”.
Winner Rosie Yapp
As outlined above, Rosie has been involved in Red Bend Catholic College’s St Vincent de Paul Youth Group as well as Reading Down Town day.
She has helped organise cake stalls, mini Olympics, Easter raffles, plain clothes days and pancake lunches.
On Reading Down Town Day she has read to young children and organised activities and games with Book Bob.
She has assisted in singing Christmas songs, organising craft activities and set-up of playgroup. She regularly sings and plays guitar for youth masses and volunteers with Red Cross’s Brekky Club.
