Candidates 2007
Matthew Taylor
Home Town: Wollongong
Age: 21
Matthew has volunteered with Interchange for the last two years where he assists children with autism in respite care. He also volunteers for Citizens Advocacy where his role is to advocate for people with a disability in a crisis situation. This includes working with their doctors, police and medical team to provide the best outcome for the client involved
"We as young men often find it hard to show the community that we can be trusted and that we do care – Illawarra’s Best Catch was the night to express it"
Cameron Rae
Home Town: Balgownie
Age: 19
Cameron is currently involved in surf life saving within the Towradgi SLSC. He is also currently the Director of Lifesaving within the club where he has run committees at branch level organising numerous events for the youth of SLS aged between 14 and 18. Cameron is also a member of the SLSI 18-25 development committee. With this, he was involved with the Disabled Surfers Association.
"Illawarra's Best Catch was a way for me to show the community that not all young men are the stereotypical trouble, but rather average people out to help the people less fortunate than ourselves"
Dan Heubner
Home Town: North Wollongong
Age: 20
Dan has served as a mentor, volunteer, conference planner, project manager and other such roles. In Wollongong he worked with a team from Wollongong University to plan Australia’s first National Leadership Conference. Dan has also participated in planning day promoting healthy lifestyle for underprivileged children in the local area.
“In the past I have represented the stereotypical male. Given my experience, I think that it would be unfair to assume that young men cannot change into mature, respectable individuals”
Glenn Harvey
Home Town: Wollongong
Age: 19
Glenn has engaged in volunteer work for the Invisible Children movement, including a presentation he gave at the National Student Leadership Conference held at the University of Wollongong. Glenn is also on the Board of Directors for Good Deeds International – an anti-child trafficking movement in Australia. He is also a member of the University of Wollongong Black Opal Leadership Program where he assists in organising community activities.
"Things like regularly getting drunk, not respecting women, and only taking from communities are all stereotypes that I am breaking and helping other young men to do so as well"
Mark Zanotto
Home Town: Towradgi
Age: 20
Mark visited Aceh in Indonesia at his own expense after raising funds to build a new school where he was able to have a first hand look at the after affects of the Tsunami. He has also been an active volunteer with the Disabled Surfers Association which enables people with disabilities to enjoy the sun and surf. He is also a member of the Surf Life Saving Illawarra Patrolling and Youth Committee. Mark also undertook a RYPEN weekend to learn how to contribute to the community.
“I participated in Illawarra’s Best Catch to raise awareness for young men and their contributions to the community, particularly because the communities perception of young men is not always positive. Also, I knew it would be great fun and a whole new experience for me”
Neel Honavar
Home Town: Cordeaux Heights
Age: 20
Neel is a member of the University of Wollongong Black Opal Leadership Program where he organises community activities within the local area. He has also volunteered for Conservation Australia, Clean Up Australia Day, Red cross appeal, volunteer childcare work for the Duke of Edinburgh’s award. Neel is currently a member of the Good Deeds International Wollongong Committee that aims to reduce international child trafficking.
“I participated in Illawarra’s Best Catch to show the community that not all teenage guys fit the negative stereotype that society has classified them into. Also, it was a good experience for me to contribute to the community by being involved in an event that raised money for a good cause”
