MEDIA RELEASE
4 March 2024
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The Southern Highlands Community Foundation announce Melida Walker-Smith as the winner of their first ‘Young Highlands Hero’ award.
The Southern Highlands Community Foundation (SHCF) today announced Melinda Walker-Smith as the winner of their inaugural Young Hero award. The SHCF Young Hero award aims to encourage and celebrate the work of young volunteers and fundraisers in our community. Winners receive a $3,000 grant to donate to their chosen cause.
Melinda Walker-Smith began her campaign to save Cook Street Park when she was just eight years old, starting a seven-year journey to bring this valuable community space back to life. Her dedication and tenacity paid off and after countless hours of lobbying and rallying community support, a series of grants were announced in 2020, with a revamped Cook Street Park opening in 2023.
Emma Calver, SHCF Chair of External Relations said;
“We are thrilled to announce Melinda as the first recipient of our Young Hero award. Her story stood out to us because of her passion, her years of dedication to her campaign and because she really understands the power of community. The success of Melinda’s campaign is a wonderful reminder of the importance of listening to young voices and I hope that through this award and by sharing her story, others are inspired to get involved in projects and initiatives that change our community for the better.”
Though initiatives like Highlands Heroes, the SHCF aims recognise and reward unsung heroes in our community and shine a light on the causes and organisations that they represent.
Young Highlands Heroes nominations are open all year round.
The judging panel is looking for young volunteers and fundraisers whose hard work and dedication has made a real difference to their cause. The nominee does not need to be a member of a community organisation however, their activities must be for organisations that benefit the Southern Highlands community. Applicants must be aged between 13 and 21 and may either self-nominate or be nominated by a third party.
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For media enquiries please contact:
Katie Falloon, Marketing & Communications | 0416 244 053 | communications@shcf.org.au
Jennifer Bott, Chair | chair@shcf.org.au
For more information on The Southern Highlands Community Foundation, visit https://shcf.org.au
