By KATH GANNAWAY
FIVE remarkable young people were recognised last week by Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Banks for their contribution to the Upper Yarra community.
Aleksei Bondarenko-Edwards, Harley Lubeck, Rebecca Lunsden-Keys, Hannah Mahoney and Steven Sanders were announced as 2015 Ian De La Rue Youth Initiative Award recipients at the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise AGM on Wednesday night.
UYCE chairman, Peter Kimberley, said the calibre of nominations this year made it impossible to single out one recipient.
Presenting the award certificates and a cheque for $1000, Mr Kimberley described the diverse group of young people as leaders in their communities and thanked them for the opportunities they create for others.
A common theme of each nomination was connection to community passion for the activity they are involved in and a desire to make a difference.
Aleksei Bondarenko-Edwards, 24, was recognised as “a local champion for affordable health and wellbeing”.
“Through his work at the Yarra Centre, he has created positive networks with community health practitioners, and mental health support networks and runs programs to enable with young adults in the local community,” his nominator, Lesley Grimes said.
His marketing and social media skills have provided new perspectives in connecting his community.
She said Aleksei is “ …motivated to be inclusive of people from culturally diverse backgrounds and responsive to the needs of those experiencing disadvantage.
Harley Lubeck, 19, was nominated by Tony Aulich from Yarra Junction Football Netball Club. He said when adversity struck, Harley had risen to the challenge.
He returned to school and is in Year 12 at Yarra Valley Community College where he is a senior Student Council representative. He was active in the Warburton Skatepark initiative and recently co-organised a fund-raiser for War Veterans.
Mr Aulich said Harley was a role model to other young men and his ‘right-hand man’ at the football club, taking on a raft of responsibilities after the death earlier this year of club stalwart, Peter Wadsworth.
“Harley has stepped up and has continued the type of work that Peter did putting up his hand for anything that’s asked,” he said..
“He has never missed a night, or a day, and is reliability and initiative personified.
“He shows other youth they can do it.”
Rebecca Lumsden-Keys, 22, was nominated by Sarah Ward-Brumhead, UYCE’s newest director.
Rebecca is a director of MISFIT Theatre where as part of her promotions role she encourages young, at-risk people and youth of all abilities to participate.
“She has profiled the stories of more than 140 young people through the group’s facebook page encouraging a deeper level of understanding and providing a voice to youth in the valley,” Ms Ward-Brumhead said.
Rebecca, a young mother, involved with River Valley Church, co-organiser of Warburton Carols by Candlelight, co-owner of a photography business and student at Deakin University.
“She has a passion for youth empowerment and works hard to create a better future for young people in the Upper Yarra Valley.”
Hannah Mahoney, 15, and Junior School Captain at Upper Yarra Secondary College, was described by her nominator, Kate Barrett, as considerate and passionate in her commitment to help and motivate others.
She volunteers at the Koha Community Cafe, Redwood Kids Resilience Building Program, the local school and Warburton’s community gardens.
“She understands that one person can make a difference,” Ms Barrett said.
She recently offered ‘free hugs’ in Melbourne to spread the message of kindness.
“Her dedication and kindness has made a lasting impact on the Redwood Mentoring program and its kids,” she sid.
Steven Sanders, 24, was nominated by Barry McDonald of Powelltown Football Club.
He said when the club needed an Under 18 coach this year, Steven stepped up as a leader.
He said that through his patience and determination, he created a culture of hard work and a challenging yet safe environment for the players who all look up to him.
Despite not winning a game all year, they had remained committed and connected, he said.
“Steve always leads with the values of honesty, respect and integrity.
“Without Steve’s drive, commitment and passion for his players, there would be 20 young men without a football team.”
Mr Kimberley said the Youth Initiative Award was key to inspiring young people in the area to do something in their community that matters towards their collective future.
‘Our young people hold the key to engaging other young people, and also have the opportunity to build strong platforms now that will enhance their prospects and future accomplishments,” he said.
“I know we will look to these young people with confidence as leaders in our community and without them many projects today would simply not exist.”
