Meet our 2012 Festival Young Ambassadors

From left to right:  2012 Young Ambassadors

My next fundraiser is Barefoot Bowls Day on Sunday, November 6 from 10am at The Summit Bowls Club. There will be a barbeque and bar running all day as well as raffles and great prizes! Green fee is $8 per person and children's size bowls are available - it'll be a fun family day.

What made you want to become an Apple and Grape Young Ambassador?

“My sister Stella who was the 2008 Festival Ambassador, encouraged me to enter.   She told me the entire program was a wonderful experience.  I personally saw how much she grew and the experiences she had as a Young Ambassador.  I’m looking forward to improving my public speaking skills and building on my personal development and etiquette through the Speech Craft course and deportment classes offered to the Young Ambassadors.” Gianna said.

Gianna has lived on the Granite Belt her entire life attending both Primary and High School in Stanthorpe, and is currently running McDonalds Stanthorpe and McDonalds Warwick’s Administration Office from Stanthorpe.

When Gianna flagged the idea of possibly running for ambassador back in 2010, Her employer Trevor Burton  jumped at the chance.  “We had previously supported Andrew Hoggarth in the Apple and Grape back in 2004 and were delighted how that all unfolded for both Andrew and McDonald’s. 

 “I would like to thank Trevor and Jo Burton for stepping forward and accepting the role of being my sponsor. Trevor and I never do anything by halves.  We are currently working on some amazing fundraising ideas and look forward to seeing just how much we can raise for our incredible festival. We are currently running an Easter Raffle and we will be holding a Mother’s Day Brunch at the Qld College of Wine Tourism. We are very excited!” 

Gianna’s daughter Siena being an active four year old will certainly keep Gianna busy juggling her Festival commitments and home life, but Gianna’s family and friends will be there to support her in the babysitting duties amongst other things.

The 2011 Melbourne Cup Day Lunch at Queensland College of Wine Tourism will be fabulous with real horses, fashion parade, raffles, sweeps, great auction items and of course The Race on the big screen with champagne and delicious food.

After attending the Allora State School and the Warwick State High School, Courtney moved on to to Brisbane to study business administration at the Brisbane College. The business studies have been put to good use working as a Customer Service Representative at the Commonwealth Bank in Warwick for 4 and half years.

“My interests are fishing, camping, rock climbing and other outdoor activities” the Granite Belt seems just the right place to be.  At present I’m studying Beauty therapy with the Australian Institute of Applied Science which I enjoy.  I also have a beautiful daughter named Kierstan – five years old and starting school this year.  It will be a big year for both of us. I joined the Young Ambassador program to get out and meet new people and to become more involved in the community as a volunteer. The help I’ve received over the past ten months from people in the community has been wonderful.  I’m hoping this experience will give me the skills to be better organised.  I would like to thank all my sponsors and to all those who have helped me.“ said Courtney

Trish and Gerard Wren, Courtney’s parents are responsible for dressing up the Kangaroos on the New England Highway at Dalveen, giving all the drivers along that stretch of road something to look out for. 

My next fundraising event will be a cake stall at the Rodeo Markets October 29th at Leslie Park in Warwick. I'm looking forward to selling the many tasty goodies to not only locals but also the many visitors who will be in town for the rodeo.

The Ballandean community once again have come together to support their representative in the upcoming Apple and Grape Harvest Festival. Courtney really knows the region as she has lived in the area for all but one month of her life. After attending the Ballandean Primary School, she finished her education at Stanthorpe High School.  Courtney was the Athletic Girls Champion for five years at the High School and has kept that winning streak whilst playing for the Ballandean Ladies Soccer Club having won four premierships so far. 

“My other interests include reading, music and travel. Recently my family and I have just returned from a great trip up to the Northern Territory and South Australia. I’m now working at the Ballandean Tavern and hope one day to take up a university position and become a PE Teacher” said Courtney.

Even at this young age Courtney has already shown her willingness to assist her community through helping prepare food for the members of the Rural Fire Brigade during bush fires, assisting Meals on Wheels and supporting the Ballandean School century celebrations.

“I’ve spoken to Philippa Hill, our 2010 Young Ambassador, and she encouraged me to join the YA program and Philippa has already offered her assistance. In 2008 I was a volunteer at the Gala Ball.  I’m looking forward to the night and the Grape Crush on the Saturday. The Grand Parade should be a lot of fun, look out for the Southern Belle float. Hopefully our committee whilst raising funds for the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival can also promote the southern region of the Granite Belt and let people know what we have on offer."

"We’ve already started fundraising with Pizza and Pasta nights for the State of Origin football games at the Ballandean Hall, we have a signed State of Origin Queensland jersey signed by all the Queensland members from Game 1 in this series to raffle, come on down to Ballandean and join in the fun for details contact 4684 1386” said Courtney.

My next most significant fundraiser is a Granite Rockwiz, to be held on November 12. This will be a good opportunity to have fun with family, friends and work mates. There will be prizes up for grabs and a great time with live bands.

Mackenzie has worked for Power Tynan as an undergraduate accountant since leaving school four and a half years ago.  When Mackenzie expressed an interest in becoming a Young Ambassador for the 2012 Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, Power Tynan were happy to lend their support.  “I believe the experience will not only help me in every day life, but will also help in my working life. I’m looking forward to the Toastmasters course; this will help me in talking to clients and build my confidence. It’s also away of helping my local community.”

Mackenzie wasn’t born in Stanthorpe, but has lived here since she was seven attending Stanthorpe State Primary School and Stanthorpe State High School, the highlight being a trip to Italy in 2004 as part of the Italian Emersion Program. To further her career as an Accountant, she is currently undertaking external studies with University of Southern Queensland.

It’s not all work and study for Mackenzie.  In August she is off to Sydney with 80,000 other people to compete in the City2Surf, the world’s largest run. Mackenzie has been in training with Natalie Sands preparing for the race, we wish her well.

“All six divisions and three offices have offered their help and I’m really looking forward to the next 10 months.” Mackenzie said.  Mackenzie is kicking off her fundraising efforts with a quick raffle; it’s one we would all like to win – a load of wood for those cold winter nights. You can purchase tickets from Power Tynan or Gracious Giving in Maryland Street for just a dollar.

There is nothing set in stone yet, however you can expect more movie nights at the Arcadia in Stanthorpe and plenty of street stalls in the coming months.

Having moved to Stanthorpe nine years ago, Amy attended the Stanthorpe State Primary and High School.

Amy said “I have many interests including scrapbooking, interior design, bush walking, fishing and going to the gym. I work at IGA and have worked at Waynes World since the store opening in Stanthorpe.  The festival will be a great experience for me, I remember in 2008 we helped at the ball and assisted one of street stalls during the weekend.  It will be a little different this time at the ball, but looking forward to it.”

"Our major fundraising event will be a New Year's cabaret at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre - $5.00 door entry, BBQ and drinks on sale.

"Bring in the New Year with Limited Edition (formerly known as Loaded Dice).  It should be a great night - join us!" said Amy.

Sheree Foelz, Manager of Waynes World in Stanthorpe said “Wayne and Erin wanted to support the local community and saw this as a way of saying Thank You to everyone on the Granite Belt. We will have on-going raffles, tickets available from Wayne’s World store.

My next major fundraising event will be the cabaret at Stanthorpe Civic Centre on New Year's Eve. For just $5 entry, there will be cheap drinks, the best band in town plus a DJ to keep everyone entertained throughout the night.