Young Achievers' Awards - 2003/2004

The Club provides four of the finalists in the Outstanding Student of the Year as an Apprentice in the Victorian Training Awards with a certificate and a cheque.  This is organised by our vocational service committee and presented before the Outstanding Student is actually chosen. 

Hugh Evans (Sir Albert Coates Award)

Hugh Evans was a 14-year-old schoolboy on a World Vision study tour of the Manila slums in the Philippines, when he decided to dedicate his life to helping the world's most disadvantaged people.  After finishing VCE, Hugh spent seven months in South Africa working with World Vision in the impoverished Embo Valley near Durban.

Upon his return, Hugh established the Oaktree Foundation which is Australia's first youth-run international aid organisation.

Hugh Evans is studying Law/Science at Monash University and was recently named Young Australian of the Year for 2004 due to his remarkable humanitarian efforts on behalf of some of the world's most disadvantaged people.

Hugh is our young achiever in the category of Humanitarian Endeavour and is the Rotary Club of Melbourne's 2004 Sir Albert Coates Young Achiever.

Lucas Bluff

Lucas Bluff is a biological sciences student at Monash University who spent 2003 studying for his honours in evolutionary ecology as part of Monash University's Science Scholar Program.   Lucas will be studying for his PhD equivalent at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar this year and his research will focus on animal decision making and animal behaviour in an evolutionary context.

Lucas says that "the successful co-existence of humans and nature requires an increased public awareness of science and he aspires to enhance this awareness."  Lucas has a flawless academic record and is passionate about what he's doing.  He is also a keen participant in a range of sporting activities, including sailing, bush-walking and running.

Lucas is our Young Achiever in the field of science, and in particular, evolutionary ecology.

Cameron Rahles-Rahbula

Cameron is 20 years of age and currently studying physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne.

Cameron skied on two legs from age four to nine with his family, but due to financial reasons was unable to continue.  At the age 14 he lost his leg to cancer and soon after he attended a weekend skiing camp organised by a support group.

At age 16 years he went skiing with his school and friends on a recreational level and in   2000 he competed in the Victorian Interschool competition at Mt Buller finishing 54th out of 225 able bodied skiers.  Following this result, he was invited to join the Australian Paralympic development team and after the 2001 National championships he was selected in the senior team.

Cameron says that the highlight of his career to date has been the 2004 International Paralympic Committee World championships at which he was a dual gold medallist in the Downhill and Super Giant Slalom.

Cameron is our Young Achiever in the field of sport and in particular downhill skiing.