Young Achiever Awards - 2005/2006

Each year our Club awards three young achievers.  Each receives a certificate and a cheque for $500.  This year the awards were presented by Royce Abbey former world President of Rotary International.  Each young achiever addressed our club.  One of these, Mylinda Joyce (soprano) also sang for us.  At the conclusion of the meeting the Young Achiever Awardees responded to questions from members.  Again this year, we met three very different young persons who had achieved much in their chosen vocation and has also applied their skills to contribute to others.

Mylinda Joyce

Soprano Mylinda Joyce has recently completed her Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Victorian College of the Arts, under the tutelage of Anna Connolly.  In 2005, Mylinda was a finalist in the Australian Singing competition's Mathy Awards performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.  She received the Mabel Kent Estate Singing Scholarship, the Murray Ormond Scholarship, the Athanaeum Vocal Prize and a prestigious Lowry Arts Scholarship.  Touted as one of Australia's most exciting young dramatic sopranos, Mylinda is due to make her oratorio debut as principle soprano in Verdi's Requiem with the Melbourne Chorale in May 2006.  Mylinda performs regularly and is committed to continuously support various charity and community organisations throughout Australia including, Royal Children's Hospital, community senior citizen groups and the Victorian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Elise Klein (Sir Albert Coates Award recipient)

Elise is an honours graduate with a Bachelor of Environmental Science form Monash University.  Elise majored in International Development, Conservation Biology and Environmental Science.  Elise has travelled extensively around southern Africa and Australia studying environmental, sustainability, indigenous and heritage issues.  Elise has been a member of the Reach Foundation Leadership Program for six years and is an accredited facilitator delivering various programs for young people at risk.  Elise has a real connection with all aspects of environmental concerns, having been a member of National Green Steps, run a licensed wildlife rescue centre and been a delegate to a United Nations Eco Innovate Conference.  In addition, Elise received a Rotary Youth Leadership Award in 2004.

Phyl Georgiou

Phyl is an Economics and Commerce student at the University of Melbourne.

His academic achievements have included, being the best first year commerce student, awarded numerous scholarships and awards recognising his academic, sporting and leadership qualities.  Phyl is an active member of the University Athletics Team and competes at national university games in sprints.  He is also the men's sports representative and a member of the student leadership committee for the College.  Phyl has initiated and led a team of Trinity students to raise funds to establish the Carlton Youth Soccer Club helping teenage African refugees integrate through their natural interest in sport.

In 2005 Phyl was one of eight students in Australia and 100 worldwide selected as a Goldman Sachs Global Leader which recognised future leaders based on their academic achievements and demonstrated ability to address social problems.

Please click on photos to enlarge.