Five outstanding young people to compete for youth awards

8/12/97

Five outstanding young Western Australians will vie for one of the most prestigious youth awards in Australia.

Matthew Jodrell (17), Louise Sauvage (24), Stuart Adam (26), Tanya Stolk (26) and Kathryn Heel (26) will represent Western Australia as finalists in various categories of the 1998 Young Australian of the Year National Awards.

Each won his or her way through to judging in the national final after success in the State category awards, announced by Youth Minister Mike Board on November 20.

WA has the largest representation of finalists from any of the States and Territories, with five of the 24 participants vying for the prestigious title of 1998 Young Australian of the Year, to be named by Prime Minister John Howard in Canberra on January 22.

The seven award categories include arts, sports, career achievement, community service, science and technology, regional development and environment.

National category winners will receive a $5,000 Commonwealth Bank account and a trophy.

The 1998 Young Australian of the Year will be named from the respective category winners, receiving a further $5000 Commonwealth Bank account and a five-day holiday package courtesy of Qantas Airways.

Mr Board praised the five WA finalists, saying their achievements reflected the positive image of youth in the State.

"It is terrific to see the talents and achievements of our young people recognised at a national level," he said.

We have much to be proud of here in WA and we must continue to praise and promote the many day-to-day achievements of our youth.

"I wish Matthew, Louise, Stuart, Tanya and Kathryn every success in the national finals and know they will represent Western Australia with great honour and pride."

The current Young Australian of the Year is Olympic gold medallist, Nova Kneebone-Peris. Past winners have included Kieren Perkins, Poppy King and Cathy Freeman.

·      Matthew Jodrell - of Como (Medibank Private Arts Award and 1998 WA Young Achiever of the Year):

Acclaim is something Matthew will have to get used to. Australian jazz great James Morrison has judged Matthew as one of Australia's best young musicians while international judges and experts are also taking notice, describing his potential as enormous. At the age of 17 he has played to an audience of 8,000 in Chicago and was invited to feature in a special concert at New York's Carnegie Hall. He has stunned music critics and received the sort of reviews that many adult performers will only dream about.

·      Tanya Stolk - East Fremantle (Minister for Youth Affairs Career Achievement Award):

Tanya has a flair with sweet things and made it her career. Only 26 years old, Tanya is already part-owner of 'The Cakebox', a company expected to turn over $1.7 million worth of business this financial year. The Cakebox supplies more than 200 establishments in Perth and boasts companies such as Myer, Mustard Catering and Aherns among its clients. Much of its success is due to Tanya's hard work and enthusiasm.

·      Stuart Adams - Floreat (WA Office of Youth Regional Development Council Award):

Once a farmer, Stuart (26) is now making a name for himself and Australia manufacturing one of our precious natural resources - wool. Through his company, IZWOOL, Stuart has focused on creating new fabrics from the wool which makes up the bulk of Western Australia's clip. Local designers have already featured his wool jersey in their collection. His success has not only exposed international designers to our beautiful product but local farmers will also enjoy new target markets for their wool.

·      Kathryn Heel - Morley (Western Power Science and Technology Award):

Kathryn is a 26-year-old scientist working at the cutting edge of medical research. Throughout the world, the most common cause of death in patients admitted to intensive care is multiple organ failure. The general failure of the body's vital organs to function properly often persists even when the cause of illness has been successfully treated. Kathryn's research has investigated the possibility that bacteria leaking across the wall of the intestine might be responsible for multiple organ failure. Her research has led to a clinical trial currently under-way in the Intensive Care Unit at Royal Perth Hospital.

·      Louise Sauvage - Joondanna (WesTrac Equipment Sports Award):

Louise is one of Australia's champion athletes. At just 24 years, Louise is unrivalled as a paralympian and boasts a truly remarkable collection of medals. She holds seven gold and one silver paralympic medals, an Olympic gold, three gold at the able bodies World Athletic Championships and four gold at the Paralympic World Championships. Louise is the holder of world records in four track events. Her strength and determination are sure to make her a shining light at the Sydney Olympics.

For further details, please contact Kylie Boyd on 9446 1677.

Media contact: Peter Harris 9222 9211