By Kath Gannaway
Young people are a force to be reckoned with in the Yarra Valley and two who stand out, among many others, are Healesville’s Jayden Crozier and Warburton’s Hannah Mahoney.
Jayden told the Mail’s Derek Schlennstedt that he always knew he wanted to be involved in International Relations and gaining a six-week internship, at 21, with the United Nations was a huge step towards that goal.
The internship in Switzerland placed Jayden at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations for the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Jayden, who has Indigenous Australian heritage, grew up in Healesville and went to Healesville Primary and Healesville High schools.
He is studying a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, majoring in Politics and International Relations at Monash University.
He said his Indigenous heritage was a pervading theme in his studies and he hopes to further learn and improve the rights of all Indigenous peoples around the world.
Hannah Mahoney from Warburton is a young person whose leadership and involvement in community is an inspiration for others wanting to make a difference.
Hannah, 17 and a VCE student at Upper Yarra Secondary College, is Yarra Ranges Council’s citizen of the Year.
Passionate about her community, social and animal welfare causes, Hannah has proven herself to be fearless in challenging stereotypes around race and gender over a number of years and through many volunteering roles.
She is on the committee of Koha Community Café, is a mentor of Koha volunteers and of primary school children at Redwood Community Centre, lobbied to adopt the Victorian Government’s Safe Schools Program and took part in the Council’s ROAR 2017 Youth Leadership Program.
Her words of encouragement to other young people was “Find something you’re passionate about and go for it”.
“It is about contributing to your community, realising that it is possible and that no matter how old you are there is always a way to do that,” she said.
Gladysdale Primary School’s Carter Morrissey is another young leader whose resilience, energy and optimistic outlook on life made him an outstanding choice as school captain in February.
Carter has overcome numerous operations to remove a giant birthmark that covered a large part of the right side of his head and face, starting at just 18 months old.
Throughout his entire primary school years he has been ready and willing to take on responsibilities and has been a role model for others.
In June the Mail reported on a partnership between film-maker 16-year-old Abigail van Bergeijk and equestrian Bridget Murphy, both from Healesville.
Abi’s film, made for the Focus on Ability Short Film Awards told the story of Bridget’s lifetime of determination to overcome the physical challenges of Multiple Pterygium Syndrome that severely restricts her movement, to become an accomplished dressage rider and an inspiration to others.
Abi created, edited and produced the film.
One the sporting field, Bayley Fritsch of Coldstream made his AFL debut with, Warburton Slalom champion Ryan Hughes was chosen to represent Australia in the New Zealand Nationals School Championships, Don Valley cross-country skiier Casey Wright made the Australian team for the Winter Olympics and nine Worawa Aboriginal College students umpired an AFL match at the MCG as part of the Dreamtime at The ‘G’ Indigenous Round.
Showing they are prepared to take up the mantle of community service, Coldstream Primary School students formed the first school junior Rotary Club in Yarra Ranges under the auspice of Wandin Rotary and three young women from Yarra Junction, Teri Mcintyre, Robyn Wright and Isabella Andueza, took a stand for girls forming The Girls Movement aimed at empowering young girls.
Young people these days …. aren’t they awesome!
