The biennial Young Community Leaders Awards are an initiative of Wellington Community Trust to recognise the contribution and achievements that young people make in leadership roles, either paid or unpaid, in voluntary or community sector organisations throughout the Wellington region.

Our own Lucy Hegarty who is a Year 13 student at Wellington East Girls' College was put forward as a worthy nominee for these awards.  Lucy is one of the friendly faces behind the Sports Control Desk at the Wednesday Twilight Competition at the ASB Sports Centre and also up at the Hataitai Courts on Saturdays.  She is also actively involved as a coach of our various junior netball development programmes including the Junior Netball Academy, Pre-Season/Off-Season Programmes and Holiday Programmes.

As part of the awards process, nominees were asked to submit a 300 word essay.  Lucy was selected as one of 20 finalists in line to receive one of five Young Community Awards including $1,000 in recognition of their achievements.  The 20 finalists were treated to a day spent together as a group engaging in leadership activities incorporating various guest speakers.  The final Awards Ceremony was a formal evening event hosted by the Governor General at Government House on Tuesday 18th June.

While Lucy narrowly missed out on being named amongst the five overall Award Recipients, we are proud of her overall achievements and wish her all the very best as she continues on with her future efforts as a young community leader.  Keep up the fantastic work!