Central Goldfields Crew member Ella announced Young Citizen of the Year
IMAGE DESCRIPTION Ella holds a bouquet of flowers while standing next to Central Goldfields Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Grace La Vella. Photo courtesy Central Goldfields Shire Council.
Congratulations to 2024 Crew member Ella who was awarded Central Goldfields Shire Young Citizen of the Year!
Recognising Ella's outstanding role in sporting achievement and as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador among her peers at Highview College, the award was presented at the Central Goldfields Shire Australia Day celebration in Maryborough on Sunday 26 January. Ella volunteered to become one of four inaugural Live4Life Crew members in 2024 to help raise the profile of mental health awareness across the shire. She was instrumental in the design of Live4Life's promotional poster and theme, "Be an upstander, not a bystander" and spread the message of youth mental health among 97 schools and 250 teams with her innovative "return to pit" stickers at Maryborough's Energy Breakthrough event.
Ella also referees basketball at Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre, has a black belt in Taekwondo, is a triathlete and cricketer, and has been involved in gymnastics, football, soccer and badminton. A courageous and inspiring young person, Ella was lauded at the ceremony as an engaging public speaker and a current and future leader within the community, with an exciting future.
Along with Ella's commendation, Live4Life Central Goldfields was announced as recipient of the Community Award of the Year.
Congratulations to Live4Life Project Officer Shelley Feilding and everyone involved with Live4Life Central Goldfields on an incredible year! In 2024, Live4Life Central Goldfields delivered Teen Mental Health training to 90 Year 8 students and 78 Year 10 students at Highview College. It also trained 20 adult community members (including school teachers) in Youth Mental Health First Aid®.
Importantly, Live4Life trained its first 'Crew' – Year 9 students who volunteer to provide leadership and promote mental health to their peers. Ella and her compatriots Josh, Connor and Curtis were the proud inaugural members, who led the way in lifting the profile and removing the stigma of mental health, so young people feel safe coming forward for help.
IMAGE DESCRIPTION Representatives of Live4Life Central Goldfields stand with Central Goldfields Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Grace La Vella. . Photo courtesy Central Goldfields Shire Council.