NSW Students Win National Volunteer Video Award

A group of Year 10 students from Redeemer Baptist School, in North Parramatta in NSW are the overall winners of the 2012 Volunteer Video Competition for Young People.

Thomas Bailey, Aidan Bailey, Ben Gibson, Claire Ongley, Grace Forrester, Mhret Akele, Michael Jones put together a one minute video on their school’s volunteer programs.

Through Redeemer Baptist School's Gala Day program, the students volunteered their services to many causes around Australia.

The Minister for Social Inclusion, Mark Butler the competition was open to young people aged 15 – 17 and 18 – 24 years, and invited them to create a multi-media message that captured the theme 'Your passion, Our nation. Volunteer now!'

The Federal Government launched the online video competition to increase volunteering participation among young people in April.

The Government’s National Volunteering Strategy identified that the rate of youth volunteering is below the national average and needs to be better supported and encouraged.

The Volunteering Video Competition for Young People invited young Australians to create a video that will promote ways for young people to be involved in their community and capture the enjoyment, fun and social interaction that volunteering brings.

Minister Butler said he was impressed by the passion and commitment shown by each of the entrants in this year's competition, as well as their technical ability.

“Each submission presented the opportunities volunteering presents differently: by enhancing your own skills or personal experience – but more importantly, all of the videos told unique and rewarding stories about the value of helping others through volunteering.”

The winners are:

· Overall winner (across both age categories): Redeemer Baptist School, Group Entry, North Parramatta, NSW

· Category A (15 to under 18):
o 1st – Henry Strong, East Launceston, TAS
o 2nd – Matthew Ford, Westleigh, NSW
o 3rd – Aneita Yang, Bexley, NSW

· Category B (18 to under 25)
o 1st – Ralph Stevenson and Jelena Sinik, Randwick, NSW
o 2nd – Jackson Redshaw, Empire Bay, NSW
o 3rd – Chris Daniels, Glenunga, SA

Minister Butler thanked the volunteer judges of the Competition, Melissa Abu–Gazaleh, Michael Green, Melody Pedler and David Whitbread, themselves champions of volunteering.

“The judges brought to their task a wealth of experience in the Not for Profit sector, media, graphic design and communications."

All entries, including the winning entries, are available online at http://volunteering.notforprofit.gov.au/