Local student an outstanding role model in the community

LOCAL student Kaja Tierney was aguest speaker at Morwell Rotary recently to talk about her ongoing endeavours to achieve the bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Kaja spoke about how her voyage of self-discovery started in 2018 as aparticipant in the Rotary JuniorCommunity Awards Program whereher story began.

Kajaclaimed that participating in the rotary awards at such an early agegave her an understanding of community and culture, and admitted that whether or not she was old enough to appreciate the importance of her award she didn’t know.

But she believed it was the steppingstone for where she is today.

Introducing the evening’sprogram, rotary chairperson Gloria Auchterlonie explained that all it takes for the Rotary JuniorCommunity Awards Program to succeed is aspecial teacher, aspecial student with supportive parents, and a special school.

Rotary had all these in Maria Harkins, Kaja and her parents; Michelle and Darren Tierney, and St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Traralgon.

Kaja thanked members of Morwell Rotary for their continued interest in her journey, and for the opportunity to speak about her experiences in the hope her story may inspire others to become more involved in their own surrounds and communities

Kaja explained how the Duke of Edinburgh Awards are designedtoempower youth through engaging with organisations and volunteersin order to develop and learn new skills, gain confidence and overcome obstacles.

Students are offered anumberofactivities, such as physical recreation, skills, community service and adventurousjourneys.All the activities are designed to challenge individuals in the way they see themselves in the world.

Kaja’s teacher MrsHarkins wasunable to attend to hear her presentation, but sent aletter of congratulations and paid tribute in describing Kaja as “a powerful young person with such great gifts and kindness of heart, and even as aGrade 6student, had leadership potential with aquiet achiever approach."

The evening closed with Ms Auchterlonieand Morwell Rotary president Colin Matthies extending the club’s thanks and congratulations to Kaja and her parents, and best wishes in her future studies and interest in medicine.