5/4/01
Youth Minister Sheila McHale has named Sophie McNeill as Western Australia's new youth ambassador.
Sophie was named earlier tonight as the WA Young Person of the Year at the WA Youth Awards Showcase at the Burswood Ballroom.
Ms McHale said Sophie was chosen from an outstanding group of nominees and would make a fantastic role model for young Western Australians.
"All 30 finalists in the WA Youth Awards would have been worthy of the title - this event has shown again how tremendously positive and inspirational our young people are," the Minister said.
It was Sophie's determination and commitment to assist refugees from East Timor that impressed the judges of this year's Showcase awards.
Ms McHale said that at 15 years of age, Sophie took up the cause of the refugees with genuine passion. Her selfless work teaching English and assisting with rehabilitation at the Leeuwin Barracks was exceptional. Last year she raised sponsorship to travel to East Timor to film a documentary about an American doctor's clinic that aids locals.
"During her time in East Timor, Sophie contracted Dengue Fever - but this did nothing to daunt her dedication to the cause," the Minister said.
"Sophie is currently advising the Vietnam Veterans' Association, which has launched an aid program for East Timor.
"What Sophie has achieved is proof that with determination, self-confidence and courage, anything is possible.
"All the finalists embody this sense of what is possible in life and all are making a positive contribution to society in many different ways."
The awards program showcases the efforts of young achievers, aged between 13 and 25 years, in the categories of achievement, initiative, inspiration, leadership, environment and citizenship.
The Showcase also includes the Youth Minister's Positive Image Award for secondary school students and the WA Youth Media Awards.
Media contact: Steve Manchee 9213 6900
2001 WA Youth Awards Showcase Winners
Youth Environment Award - Amanda Tilbury of Willetton
Youth Leadership Award - Vanessa Elliott of Halls Creek
Youth Inspiration Award - Sophie McNeill of Mt Hawthorn
Youth Initiative Award - Sandy Cikara of Stirling
Youth Citizenship Award (Individual) - Jo-Anne D'Cress of Bunbury
Youth Citizenship Award (Group) - The Fremantle-based Lorax Youth Environment Centre
Youth Achievement Award - Tanya Miles of Applecross
Youth Minister's Positive Image Award
Cassandra Quinn from Nagle Catholic College, Geraldton
WA Youth Media Awards
Print Media - best metropolitan news or feature article:
Winner - Pam Casellas - The West Australian
Highly Commended - Geraldine Capp - The West Australian
Print Media - best suburban news or feature article:
Winner - Zoran Nedeljkovic - Community Newspaper Group
Print Media - best regional news or feature article:
Winner - Natasha Granath - South Western Times
Television - best metropolitan feature article/news item:
Joint winners:
- Charmaine Dragun - Channel 10
- Andrea Burns - Channel 7
Best Photograph:
Winner - Barry Baker - The West Australian
Youth Media Award Overall Winner
Andrea Burns - Channel 7
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