Meet our 2008 Festival Young Ambassadors

'Market in the Mountains' Young Ambassador - Daniella Pregnolato

'Rotary' Young Ambassador - Rebecca Schroder

' Apex' Young Ambassador - Erin Wilkinson

'Vincenzo's at the Big Apple' Young Ambassador - Olivia Rizzato

'Red Rooster' Young Ambassador - Rachel Drinnan

'Ray White Stanthorpe' Young Ambassador - Stella Zanatta

'Southern Belle' Young Ambassador - Angela Day

Daniella is undertaking a Traineeship with the Stanthorpe Library. Daniella what prompted you to join the Young Ambassador Quest? I was approached and asked if I would represent Market in the Mountains. I knew it would be a big commitment so I gave it a lot of consideration and came to the conclusion that it would be a great experience.

Have you been involved in community activities previously?

I was actively involved in Meals on Wheels and also played for City’s ladies soccer team

What are your major hobbies?

I am a passionate about country music – so I love listening to music.  I also enjoy reading, shopping (naturally) ands socializing with family and friends. 

What is your ambition?

I want to travel – Both within Australia and overseas.   Am keen to experience other places and what they have to offer.

Daniella what do you hope to achieve through in involvement in the quest?

Through my involvement with the Apple and Grape, I hope to gain a better understanding of the community and to contribute to the needs of the local community through my fund raising.  I know this experience will broaden my knowledge and help with my personal development.

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Rebecca is the Youth Development Worker with Community Development Services in Stanthorpe

Rebecca what prompted you to join the Young Ambassador Quest?

I have always been interested in community connectedness and I realize the importance of volunteers especially in small country towns.  So when I was approached to be an Ambassador for the Apple and Grape Festival I jumped at the idea.

Have you been involved in community activities previously?

Yes I guess my through my position I have a lot of involvement but aside from that I have always been heavily involved in the community. 

Currently I am the co-coordinator for the Emergency Service Cadets and am involved in local sporting groups.

I was a volunteer Sexual Health Officer at the University of New England (UNE) also Volunteer Sexual Harassment and Peer Education Support Officer for UNE and a member of the choir.  I was also Haddington Princess Tenterfield Nursing home. 

I also involve myself in Worlds Greatest Shave for A Cure, Salvation Army and Red Cross door knock appeals, Daffodil Day, Jeans for Genes Day, White Balloon Day and Sock it to Suicide Day.

What are your major hobbies?

I enjoy volunteering and love playing sport (Netball, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Athletics, Touch Football, Rugby Union Softball and Golf.  I also enjoy watching AFL. Cricket, Tennis and Golf.  I relax with Writing, Music, Gardening, Visual Arts and I also enjoy studying.

What is your ambition?

To become a serving member of the police service and complete my masters at the University of New England.

Rachel what do you hope to achieve through in involvement in the quest?

I will enjoy promoting Stanthorpe and raising as much money as possible for the Apple & Grape Festival.

I also hope to meet more people in the community as this will assist me in the future as a general member of the community and with my involvement in the community through my work as the Youth Development Worker.

Other comments:

Rebecca is a previous School Captain of Tenterfield State High School and completed her Bachelor of Arts Physcology at UNE.

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Erin is currently completing her hairdressing apprenticeship at Masquerade Hair Salon in Stanthorpe.

Erin what prompted you to join the Young Ambassador Quest?

I was initially approached by the Stanthorpe Apex club and my family encouraged me to take up their offer.

Have you been involved in community activities previously?

I was a member of the Stanthorpe Girl Guides for many years and was involved in many community activities through Guides.

What are your major hobbies?

I love going to hair shows, reading, chilling out with friends and listening to music and I really enjoy live music concerts.

What is your ambition?

Once I finish my apprenticeship, I want to travel overseas as a hairdresser and gain as much experience as I can.  I would love to work at some of the fashion and hair events overseas.  Ultimately I would like to put that experience into practice and own my own business.  I want to be independently wealthy one day.

Erin what do you hope to achieve through in involvement in the quest?

I hope my experiences as a Young Ambassador will lead to personal growth.  I hope to gain a better understanding of the Stanthorpe District and its community.  Also I am sure I will make some lasting friendships.

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Olivia is an administration assistant currently working in a family business. 

Olivia what prompted you to join the Young Ambassador Quest?

I thought it would be a fun was to involve myself in the festival and learn more about our community.  I also enjoy the challenge it presents.

Have you been involved in community activities previously?

Mainly through our family business.

What are your major hobbies?

Fashion, Beauty, kayaking, motor bikes and traveling overseas.

What is your ambition?

To do more overseas traveling and ultimately I would like to train as a beautician.

Rachel what do you hope to achieve through in involvement in the quest?

Hat I believe I will improve my general confidence and gain some public speaking skills while raising funds for the community.

I am also sure I will build some great and lasting friendships.

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Rachel currently works as a Customer Service Assistant at Red Rooster Stanthorpe and is doing some Management training

Rachel what prompted you to join the Young Ambassador Quest?

I got a lot of encouragement from others and I’m excited about facing new challenges.  I also want to learn more about our town and district.

Have you been involved in community activities previously?

I have been involved in youth activities in the district through the Youth Council.  I have also been involved in promoting Genes for Jeans Day and Cancer Awareness.

What are your major hobbies?

I am a bit of an outdoors person.  I enjoy basketball and skateboarding but I also enjoy art and playing music.

What is your ambition?

To further my management studies and to travel – overseas and see more of Australia.

Rachel what do you hope to achieve through in involvement in the quest?

I am hoping to become more self-confident and to interact with the public more easily.  I also want to improve my public speaking skills.

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Stella is a trainee accountant working for local accountancy firm Power and Tynan.

Stella what prompted you to join the Young Ambassador Quest?

I firmly believe that in life I should always aim to improve myself and become a better person.  I thought joining this quest would be a great opportunity to do so.  I look upon this as a personal challenge. 

Have you been involved in community activities previously?

I am the assistant Treasurer for the Stanthorpe Rugby League and have been involved in various community activities including the Salvation Army and Red Cross door knocks, Australia’s Biggest morning Tea and Jeans for Genes Day.

What are your major hobbies?

I enjoy playing sport – netball and touch football currently.  I have two huskies and enjoy walking them.  I support our local football team the Gremlins and enjoy following their games as well as socializing with family and friends.

What is your ambition?

One of my main ambitions is to complete my Accountancy degree and become a fully qualified Accountant.  Also I want to travel within Australia and overseas.  Ultimately I would like to have a family and be a good role model for my children.

Stella what do you hope to achieve through in involvement in the quest?

I hope that I can help to promote our district, become more involved in the community and raise funds for the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival.  I hope that this will help to grow my self confidence.

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Angela is a student at the University of Queensland studying for her bachelor of Applied Science and Human Movement Studies. Angela what prompted you to join the Young Ambassador Quest? It is a long standing tradition that someone from the Ballandean area enters the competition so when the committee approached me I readily agreed.  I am proud to continue this tradition.

Have you been involved in community activities previously?

I have always participated in the community events in Ballandean and have been actively involved in many local sporting competitions including soccer, tennis, 5 a side futsal and touch football.  Whenever possible I have assisted with working bees and fundraising for the Ballandean Hall and the Ballandean Soccer Club.

What are your major hobbies?

Sport and cooking

What is your ambition?

I plan to finish my degree and teach in the country

Angela what do you hope to achieve through in involvement in the quest?

I hope to be able to make people more aware of the Granite Belt and all that it has to offer.  From a personal perspective I think it will improve my self confidence.  I am sure I will make many new friends and have a great time.

Other comments:

Angela is a previous School Captain and Sport’s Captain of St Joseph’s School (Stanthorpe).  As a student she was involved in many sporting and academic activities.

Angela plays the organ for the local Lyra Catholic church and has volunteered for the Red Shield Appeal.

She was named 2005 Stanthorpe Lions youth of the Year.

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