An Altona teen has taken out a top honour for young people given by Werribee Lions Club.
Joshua Cordina was named Werribee Lions Youth of the Year for 2016-17 recently.
“I was really quite honoured by it,” he said.
“I was proud of the achievement, and really happy to have worked with Lions … it’s great to be able to work together with important community organisations.”
The year 11 Suzanne Cory High School student applied for the award on the recommendation of one of his teachers.
Joshua had to submit an initial written application and take part in interviews, before presenting a five-minute speech on awards night.
The 17-year-old Altona resident dedicated his speech to the need for changes in Australian public health care, and he also answered some impromptu follow-up questions.
“It’s something I’m personally interested in; it’s a government policy that I actually feel is a bit relatable to me,” he said.
“I could see myself being involved in policy-making, or something like that.”
Joshua is the school debating captain and volunteers with Altona lifesaving club over summer as a surf lifesaver.
He also runs a community project with friends, called Bedside Buds, which create terrariums out of recycled items, which are then donated to aged care homes.
Westbourne Grammar student Alysha Yacono won Werribee Lions public speaker of the year award for a speech about ice cream.
