Youth

Wilson McShane. After starting her drag racing career nine months ago, Harvest Christian College, Kadina, student Bailey Hawke claimed her first-ever victory at the South Coast Nationals (junior dragster) in Portland, Victoria, at the weekend (December 7 and 8). Hawke, 13, began drag racing in March and has since had seven runner-up performances across Australia.

Lachlan Dand. It is little secret for those who have completed year 12 studies that it’s one of the biggest years some can face, as high schooling days draw to a close. With exams, prom, and graduation all wrapped up, students at the Renmark High School (RHS), have one piece of official duty left. Students will head to the Gold Coast this Sunday morning for the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup, which was previously held in Canberra and Melbourne, running until 15 December.

A West Wimmera Shire Council survey on maternal and child health and support playgroup services has highlighted the overwhelmingly positive experiences from families in the community. The survey, which gathered responses from parents and caregivers from across the shire, showed strong satisfaction with the support and care currently provided.

The irony is rich: this bill will likely create a generation of kids who are not just social media experts but also adept at cybersecurity and very comfortable breaking the law. Well done, Canberra, for teaching Australia’s youth skills that will take our kids deep into the dark web where everything and anything is available.

Karen Medlyn. That’s a wrap! The 2024 Donald High School Energy Breakthrough Team and “It’s a Goode Thing!”, completed an impressive 485 laps, covering a total distance of 766.3 kilometres. The 24-hour endurance has students pedalling over a specific circuit, through the streets of Maryborough.The debut of the new trike was thrilling ...

The Allora P-10 State School Awards Night was held on ... celebrating 157 years of local schooling. The evening recognised the sporting, cultural and academic achievements of students from Years 7-10 and graduation of the Year 10 cohort of 2024.

Skills funding policy must be reshaped by the Australian, state, and territory governments to enable more students in remote, rural and regional areas to take up skills training, according to the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers.

Narrandera High School student Tahlia Gilbert has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to Aboriginal education in NSW public schools at the 19th annual Nanga Mai Awards. Tahlia’s award was the outstanding all-rounder student of the year in NSW’s secondary education.

Paris Rose Brailsford, a 21-year-old youth advocate from the Clarence Valley, proudly represented her region at the first-ever NSW Youth Summit held in Sydney ... The Summit brought together participants from diverse regional and metro communities, cultural backgrounds and life experiences.

Bailee White, daughter of Steve and Sarah White will leave soon to enjoy a "White Christmas" in Canada as the Lions Club of Nhill Inc. Youth Exchange Student for 2024. Bailee will be hosted by Mark and Sherry Pettapiece in Ontario Canada ... Their daughter Mikaela was fortunate enough to visit Australia in July this year and had a wonderful time.

An important milestone in constructing Lismore’s new $3.9 million Lismore Skatepark was reached this week, with the pouring of 2400m2 of concrete set to begin ... The facility includes both ‘street’ and ‘park’ (bowl) sections and a covered mini ramp, which is eagerly anticipated by the local skater community.

Wilson McShane. Six-year-old Harry Rendell, from Moonta, is following in the footsteps of his running idols. Supported by his parents Kara and Nick, he is training for a five-kilometre event in Melbourne ... Throughout November, he and his running team RUNNEZ have been participating in Stride 4 Stroke, a fundraiser for the Stroke Foundation.  

Excitement was palpable at Donald High School last week as members of the Energy Breakthrough (EBT) team gathered alongside sponsors and family to unveil their new vehicle and receive their official team gear. The event marked the final preparations ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated challenge in Maryborough, Victoria.

Serena Kirby. Denmark's CWA is bridging the generational gap with its Nanna’s Next Door initiative. The intergenerational playgroup is the brainchild of local mum Megan Sutton who believes that the Denmark CWA is the only branch offering this type of program ... "Some of these women may not have held a baby in decades and there’s certainly something special that happens when they hold a baby."

Sean Cunningham. Narrandera Public School pupil Braxton Ivanoff was part of the winning New South Wales golf team which was crowned this year’s Team Stroke Champions of the School Sport Australia (SSA) 12 years and under National Golf Championship. Braxton qualified for the NSW team when he previously finished eighth in the NSW School Sports Association Championship in the Hunter Valley..

Another successful cohort of Hay War Memorial High School students have wrapped up their secondary education. The Riverine Grazier asked the students what the future holds for them, and some of their favourite things about their time in high school.

After the Albanese Government recently announced a proposal to introduce new laws to prohibit youths aged 16 and under from accessing and using social media, citing the changes are aimed at mitigating the harm social media is inflicting on Australian children, the Clarence Valley Independent decided to conduct a street survey.

The annual Remembrance Day service hosted by Maldon RSL at the Cenotaph ... attracted numerous attendees, including grade five and six students from Maldon Primary School ... Will Govier from Maldon Primary School, here with grandmother Jenni McKenzie, swept and cleaned the grave and headstone of his great-grandfather before proudly placing a flag.  

Meredith Gow. The Active Spirits Intergenerational Program, run by Intereach and supported by Hay Shire Council, has become a highlight of the week for many in the Hay community ... students from Hay War Memorial High School and local community members come together for an afternoon of activities designed to get everyone moving and laughing.

She is already an inspiration to many throughout the Clarence Valley, and after coaching the Australian Mighty 11s BMX team to victory at the 2024 BMX NZ North Island Titles at the Cambridge BMX Club ... Tahlia Marsh’s knowledge, exuberance, and passion for the sport has been passed on to the next generation of accomplished athletes.

Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) has advised that entries are now open for the Giant Pumpkin Competition. The iconic competition offers $3,450 in prize money, including a bonus $1,000 for the heaviest pumpkin weighing more than 350kg ... Downlands College from Toowoomba carved their name into the record books in March 2024...