ROTARY CLUB OF WOLLONDILLY NORTH REWARD YOUNG COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS as seen in Macarthur Chronicle (2nd December 2011)
YOUNG people who are active in the Wollondilly shire community are encouraged to apply for The Rotary Club of Wollondilly North’s Youth Recognition Awards.
Now in its second year, the awards honour the skills, abilities and achievements of the region’s young people. Youth Recognition Awards Committee chairman Kevin Smith said last year’s winners included Todd and Tamara Biffin, with awards in the workplace excellence and special achievement categories.
“Applications for our inaugural awards were quite diverse,” he said. “We hope to extend our reach to many more achievers this year.”
Anyone between 16 and 25 who lives, works or studies in the shire can apply.
Awards are given to those who have excelled or shown innovation in their field or have been recognised by the community. Those with the potential to excel in their field, or who have overcome or are experiencing hardship, are also recognised.
Full criteria and downloadable application at rotarynews.info/Club76606.
Photo: Tamara and Todd Biffin accept an award from then president Richard Booth at last year's award
MEET CAMBELLTOWN'S NEW YOUTH AMBASSADOR
as seen in Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser (15th November 2011)
MACARTHUR politicians watch out — young gun Joshua Cotter is hot on your tails. 
The Glen Alpine teenager was announced our 2011 youth ambassador at the Rotary Club of Campbelltown's Youth Excellence Awards on Monday night.
Mr Cotter, the outgoing captain of John Therry Catholic High School, also won the community service award for his volunteer work and the successful Macarthur Schools Youth Leaders Forum he organised this year.
The 17-year-old said he was "proud and excited" and thanked Rotary members, his school and director of schools in the Catholic diocese of Wollongong, Peter Turner.
"Both my parents and my grandparents were there on the night and they were in tears and they're just excited for me," he said.
Mr Cotter hopes to study politics and public relations at the University of Western Sydney and tackle concerns affecting the youth of Campbelltown.
"My passion for youth basically comes from my father," Mr Cotter said. "He's a senior sergeant in the police force and was the youth liaison officer for a number of years at Macquarie Fields.
"The passion he has followed on to me and he's my role model."
He has just started an internship at Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell's office and hopes to pursue a career in politics after university.
"I think I can make a difference by being in politics and getting out there and listening to what youth need and want," he said.
"Jai Rowell has offered me an internship and I'm hoping to learn the ins and outs of politics slowly by working with him."
The Rotary Youth Excellence Awards were held at Wests Leagues Club in Leumeah and they recognised the good work of Campbelltown's young people in a wide range of categories. The Rotary Club of Campbelltown meets at 6pm on Mondays at the Campbelltown Catholic Club.