Candidates 2009

Simon is currently President of the Student Health Alliance for Rural Populations at the University of Wollongong. He successfully ran a 'Close the Gap' day event which included petitioning for the importance of Indigenous Health. With this, Simon is a current volunteer with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Program where the aim is to mentor and develop life skills of local Indigenous high school students. He has also travelled to the Northern Territory to visit rural and remote high schools to promote the health profession to students. Along with this, he currently volunteers as a lifesaver for the Towradgi Surf Life Saving Club.

Andrew is a current volunteer for the Cancer Council as a Survivor Development Officer for the Illawarra Relay for Life. He has been a Student Orientation Team Leader at a University of Wollongong Student Campus Weerona College. With this, Andrew is a Student Representative for the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at the University. He is a committee member of UOW Alliance for Rural Populations (SHARP), Agricultural Societies Council of NSW Youth where he encourages young people in rural areas that have a passion in agricultural to get involved within their local communities, member of the Berrigan Agricultural Youth Team and a member of the Berrigan Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society. Andrew has also participated in locally run national initiatives including Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day.

Grant is currently a youth minister with Lighthouse Church which involves working in high schools with young people. Every Friday night youth programs run which create a healthy environment in which young people can be empowered to make positive life choices. Through the programs, Grant plays a strong mentoring role with young people and assists them to navigate through life and set solid foundations for the future. He has also volunteered with International Aid Organisations including World Vision, World Youth International and COME Uganda, spending three months in Peru working on community development projects and one month in Africa.

Paul currently volunteers as a mentor with Young Achievement Australia where his role is to assist high school students to develop their skills and understanding in running a real company. With this, Paul also uses his business to contribute by donating time to local not for profit organisations and assist them to develop their branding and promotional material. His other volunteering efforts include working with Young Life Ski Mission that aims to engage and empower troubled teens by taking them for a day to a river to teach them how to waterski and wakeboard. In 2007, Paul travelled to Uganda to build a house for orphaned children through the organisation Watoto.

Toby volunteers as a Patrol Captain for the Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club where it requires him to oversee a patrol of 10-15 lifeguards from September to April each year. He is also the Team Leader of the Mount Pleasant Community Fire Unit where his role includes organising fire training drills for local residents. His other volunteering activities include working with Up! Club, a part of the Down Syndrome Association NSW, coaching and mentoring football players for the Under 15's Vikings Rugby Union Football Club and donating blood with the Red Cross Blood Bank.

Travis is a current member of the Southern Highlands Foundation Making a Difference Youth Committee where his role includes organising small grants, raising funds for community projects and mentoring of younger members. He also volunteers with Camp Quality where in 2008 he initiated a 900km charity pushbike ride. Travis also serves on the Wingecarribee Shire Youth Council, NSW Youth Advisory Council and has been a member of the National Youth Roundtable. With this, in 2005-2007 he sat on the steering committee and is presenter on 92.5FM Wingecarribee Youth Radio Program