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RSL Youth Grant Winners Tell All

RSL Youth Grant Winners Tell All

RSL Youth Grant Winners Tell All

RSL Youth Grant Winners Tell All

RSL Youth Grant Winners Tell All

RSL Youth Grant Winners Tell All

RSL Youth Grant Winners Tell All

RSL YOUTH GRANT WINNERS TELL ALL

Keziah Oliver

Keziah Oliver Grade: 12
Suburb: Woodridge
School: Caboolture Christian School of Distance Education
Grant: Sporting, $5,200

Major Achievements
Three gold, one silver and two bronze at the 2008 National Rhythmic Gymnastics Classic Clubs Competition

  • Four Gold Medals in the senior elite superstar division at the 2008 Aussie All Stars Competition.
  • 2008 Logan Young sportswoman of the year.
  • Recipient of a 2008 women’s sport Rising Star Award (recognition of a woman with potential to represent Australia at the highest possible level of their chosen sport).

RSL Youth Development Program Project

  1. To attend the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Budapest, March 2009
  2. To attend an overseas training facility in Canada and Europe to help prepare for the 2009 competition season.

What are your three personal goals you hope to achieve during 2009?
1. To compete in the World Cup
2. Qualify for the Commonwealth Games
3. Finish Grade 12

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“The RSL Youth Development Program grant is an amazing opportunity and allows you to do things within your field you never thought you may be able to achieve, so just do it”.


Kirsty Mols

Kirsty Mols Grade: 12
Suburb: Yatala
School: John Paul College
Grant: Community, $5,200

Major Achievements

  • Top 10% of year level awarded in both 2006 (yr 9) and 2007 (yr 10)
  • Part of church youth group who travel to nursing homes and raise money for Truth International Missions which help support children around the world.
  • Part of the 2008 Olympic orchestra who played in Beijing.

RSL Youth Development Program Project
Kirsty is travelling to Africa with the Australian Youth Development Association on a missionary trip. She will be visiting the home of the Maasai orphans and the students of Mandela. While there she will teach the student’s classes, provide books, stationary and school supplies, paint a classroom, construct a fence and assist with various projects to help the school. Upon return to Australia she will select a student to sponsor for the remainder of the year. All costs associated with supplies and sponsorship is gained from her own personal fundraising.

What are your three personal goals you hope to achieve during 2009?
1. Start making a difference in other countries
2. Participate in another missionary trip overseas instead of going to schoolies
3. Achieve well in my final year at high school

What opportunities do you believe you would have missed if it were not for the RSL Youth Development Program?
“I wouldn’t be going to Africa, which is my next step in making a difference in the global community”.

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“The RSL Youth Development Program grant provides a great opportunity to complete goals and get somewhere in life”.


Natalie Dudowski

Natalie Dudowski Grade: 12
Suburb: Tanah Merah
School: Shailer Park State High School
Grant: Sporting, $5,200

Major Achievements

  • Current under 18 Queensland State Champion in the 2000m steeplechase
  • Queensland representative in the Pacific School Games in Canberra in the 1500m, 2000m and 3000m steeplechase.
  • Set the fastest 2000m steeplechase time for women in Australia for the year 2008.
  • Under 17 Dual State champion in the 1500m and 2000m steeplechase.

RSL Youth Development Program Project

  1. To attend World Youth Championships in Italy- July 2009, competing in the 2000m steeplechase.
  2. To compete across Australia to qualify for a position on the Australian team.

What are your three personal goals you hope to achieve during 2009?
1. To win a medal at the Youth Olympics
2. Make the Youth Team to go to Italy (selection is in July)
3. Be placed in the top 5 at the World Youth Olympics

Who is your role model? Why?                       
“Kerryn McCann due to her achievements at the Commonwealth Games, her determination to never give up no matter what life threw at her, and her fighting spirit”.


Joshua Look

Joshua Look Grade: 11
Suburb: Camp Hill
School: Cavendish Road State High School
Grant: Academic $2,600

Major Achievements

  • Awarded Cavendish Road State High School award for academic excellence 2008
  • Awarded a high distinction in the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute chemistry competition 2008 (awarded to the top 1% of students Nationwide)
  • Part of the colour party at Long Tan commemorations and a RAAF standard bearer at the Brisbane ANZAC Day parades in 2007 and 2008.

RSL Youth Development Program Project
To join the Australian Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller Officer once finished year 12. This will be achieved through high academic results and participation in the Australian Air Force Cadets such as trips to air bases, weekend camps, lectures and training.

Interesting Fact
Is in the Australian Air Force Cadets and has achieved the rank of Cadet Corporal

Who is your role model? Why?                       
“General Monash from World War 1.  He overcame obstacles and stuck to his guns and showed determinations and leadership”.

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“Think about your goals and how this will help to achieve them”.


Harrison Tyler

Harrison Tyler Grade: 12
Suburb: Norman Park
School: Brisbane State High School
Grant: Sporting, $5,200

Major Achievements

  • Youngest member selected to be part of the Australian All Australian Five Highs cricket team
  • Represented Metropolitan East region at the 2008 State Championships in Townsville
  • Selected to represent BSHS at the 5 Highs Championship in Adelaide in November 2008.

RSL Youth Development Program Project

  1. Maintain position as BSHS opening bowler and upper order batsman
  2. Selection in the under 17 Queensland cricket elite youth squad
  3. Selection in the Metropolitan East Under 19 representative team
  4. To travel to England in 2010 after the completion of year 12 to play professional cricket.

Who is your role model? Why?                       
“Michael Clarke, the Australian Cricketer. His leadership and youth make him someone to look up to”.


Georgina Hansford

Georgina Hansford Grade: 12
Suburb: Wellington Point
School: Sheldon College
Grant: Academic $5,200

Major Achievements

  • Making the Queensland Academy netball squad
  • Has only been debating for one year yet still successful
  • Winning the RSL Youth Development Program grant

RSL Youth Development Program Project
Is attending the World Individuals Debating and Public Speaking Championships in London in April 2009

What are your three personal goals you hope to achieve during 2009 
1. Win World Debating Titles
2. Make Queensland U19 netball team
3. Travel the world and make kids aware of netball (long term goal)

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“The Queensland RSL gives you the chance to do what you want to do and helps you achieve what you want to achieve”.


Imogen Szumer

Imogen Szumer Grade: 12
Suburb: Buderim
School: Mountain Creek State High School
Grant: Community $5,200

Major Achievements

  • Studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program, a rigorous two year, pre-university curriculum for committed high school students.
  • Awarded Dux award for Year 11 IB and maintained the highest academic results for all of 2008 in Year 11 International Baccalaureate
  • State finalist in the United Nations Youth Association (UNYA) Queensland’s Hammarskjold Trophy Security Council Competition
  • Selected to be a School Captain by peers.

RSL Youth Development Program Project
To attend the St Petersberg International Model United Nations Conference in Russia in March 2009. The conference, held annually, attracts over 500 high school students. They come together for four days and participate in constructive discussions, negotiations and debate on topical issues, and try to come up with creative and workable solutions to various problems of the world. The issues Imogen would like to discuss are: human rights and nuclear disarmament.

Who is your role model? Why?                       
“Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jnr. They fought for the rights of others and were an inspiration to all”.

What do you believe is your best personal quality? Why?                   
“I treat everyone equally and with respect. I am very understanding and accepting of different cultures and beliefs”.

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“Go for it! You have to be in it to win it no matter how big or small your project is”.


Lachlan Russ

Lachlan Russ Grade: 11
Suburb: Norman Park
School: Villanova College
Grant: Sporting $2,600

Major Achievements

  • 2003 - 2008 inclusive have  won the highest award for academic achievement across the curriculum
  • 2008- QLD Secondary School Track & Field Championships- came 2nd 15yrs 200m Steeple Chase and 3rd 15yrs 1500m
  • Pacific School Games- Selected to compete at the Pacific School Games held at the AIS in Canberra from December 1-6 2008. 35 countries competing
  • 2007 QLD Secondary School Sport Championships- selected for state titles in cross country (4th), touch (2nd), AFL (3rd) and Track and Field (2nd Steeplechase and 3rd in 1500m)
  • Associated Independent School Sport- 1sr 15 years 1500m and broke the existing record by 7 seconds. 2nd in 15yrs 800m. I also represented the school in swimming, cross country, rugby, cricket, basketball, AFL and waterpolo.

RSL Youth Development Program Project
To compete at the Pacific School Games as part of the QLD team in the AIS in Canberra from the 1st - 6th December 2008.The games are only held once every 4 years. Lachlan’s goal is to win the 15 yrs 2000m steeplechase.
Lachlan’s future goal is to participate in Sydney Youth Olympics in 2009. (This team is selected based on competitions and personal times)

What do you believe is your best personal quality? Why?       
“Persistence and commitment to training and competition”.

What opportunities do you believe you would have missed if it were not for the RSL Youth Development Program?
“In the past I have had to miss out on Nationals due to costs, however with the RSL Youth Development grant I will now be able to attend and compete in the National competitions”.


Oliver Crosato

Oliver Crosato Grade: 11
Suburb: Crow’s Nest
School: Centenary Heights State High School
Grant: Sporting $2,600

 

Major Achievements

  • Australian Junior Squad Member: Has just been named in the Australian Junior (under 21) Orienteering Squad for 2009.
  • 2005 Australian championships: 1st Australian Club Orienteering Championships, Mens 14 years
  • 2006 Australian championships: 1st Australian Club Sprint Orienteering Championships, Mens 16 years
  • 2008 Australian Honour Team: selected in the senior boys Australian honour team after winning gold medals in both the relay and team events and finishing a very close 6th in the individual event

RSL Youth Development Program Project
Competing in 4 National Orienteering League events run by Orienteering Australia throughout 2009. Oliver hopes to be named in the Australian team which will compete at the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Italy in July 2009.

What are your three personal goals you hope to achieve during 2009 
1.  Make the Junior World Orienteering team
2.  Make the Honour team at School Championships
3.  Achieve a top 5 position in the National Orienteering events

What do you believe is your best personal quality? Why?                   
“Perseverance and the ability to stick with a goal”.

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“Think of what would be possible if you had the Youth Development grant and you will see it’s definitely worth it”.


Benjamin Harrison

Benjamin Harrison Grade: 11
Suburb: Banksia Beach
School: Bribie Island State High School
Grant: Academic, $2,600

Major Achievements

  • 2005 Head of Indonesian in whole year level
  • 2006 Top 10% of year level
  • 2007 Finished in top 6 places for the QLD State Final for Tournament of Minds Competition as well as winning regional round of the tournament
  • 2008 Debating: made it to the 2nd round of the Brisbane region after winning 4 round robin matches convincingly.

RSL Youth Development Program Project
To go on the school Malaysian/ Indonesian trip in the September school holidays for 10 days and to pay for elective subjects and school supplies.

What opportunities do you believe you would have missed if it were not for the RSL Youth Development Program?
“It would have been much harder to pay for the indo trip. It would mean that I would have to work more hours at my part time job which would mean less time for studying”. 

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“You should defiantly apply as it allows you to do a lot of things that otherwise you couldn’t have done. It takes the stress of money away”.


Jax Kotzur

Jax Kotzur Grade: 12
Suburb: Coolum
School: Coolum State High School
Grant: Community $5,200

Major Achievements

  • 2007 ADF Long Tab Leadership and Teamwork Award for outstanding efforts in leadership and teamwork activities throughout the year, nominated by school and teachers
  • Gold academic award as DUX of year 8 (2005) of Cooktown and 2006 and 2007 Gold Academic award
  • 2008 Gold academic award for outstanding academic achievement. 3/120 received this award in year 11
  • Rotary best all rounder for leadership, citizenship showed during 2008. One is awarded to each year level.

RSL Youth Development Program Project
I plan to assist a community development program that is in motion in Cambodia through a trip they are offering at the end of 2009. I plan to stay for four weeks. The program is run through an organization called The Mission World Wide (Family friends run the program). The trip is being offered instead of schoolies week. It focuses on those caught up in the child sex slave industry. Jax will be working at the Mission World Wide safe house to look after endangered children who have been rescued from the sex trade. Will also help with general maintenance of the house and the rehabilitation of endangered girls.

Interesting Fact
In September of this year I travelled to Thailand where we went with a group from my school to teach school and university students English.

Who is your role model? Why?                       
“Heidi Baker (works for Iris Ministries) - Lives in Africa and works with orphanages in Africa.”

What would you say to encourage other students to apply for a RSL Youth Development grant?
“The RSL Youth Development Program grant is very helpful as it takes pressure off the financial side of things”.