RSL YDP LATEST NEWS

February 29, 2012

NATIONAL HEROES, AIR MARSHALL GEOFFREY SHEPHERD AO AND MAJOR SUSANA FERNANDEZ TO INSPIRE RSL GRANT RECIPIENTS

In December 2011, RSL (Queensland Branch) and Bond University announced 200 winners of the Youth Development Program grant. The Youth Development Program aims to foster the development of Queensland’s young achievers. The winning applicants will attend a one-day Leadership Forum and Presentation Ceremony held on Saturday March 3 at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

The Leadership Forum aims to induct, inform and inspire Queensland’s young achievers. Nationally recognised heroes, Air Marshall Geoffrey Shepherd AO and MAJ Susana Fernandez have been called upon to motivate the students. They will provide the students with an insight into their experiences and how these have shaped them into such strong leaders within the Australian community.

After completing her studies in a Bachelor of Science at the Australian Defence Force Academy, MAJ Susana Fernandez was posted to 161 Reconnaissance Squadron at RAAF Darwin where she was later awarded Aviator of the Year for her efforts as a senior flying supervisor. In 2005, she was appointed as the Brigade Major (BM) of the Headquarters 16th Brigade and was awarded a Land Commander’s commendation for her successes as BM. Susana has recently given birth to her third child while maintaining her role as an instructor at Officer Training Wing, Kokoda Barracks, Canungra.

Jordan Harrison, a 2012 RSL Youth Development Program recipient and student of All Saints Anglican School on the Gold Coast will be one of over 280 guests attending the Leadership Forum. Jordan is an accomplished swimmer and will be using his grant to fund his pursuit of representing Australia at the 2012 Olympic Games.

“There are numerous opportunities which I believe I would have missed if it were not for the RSL Youth Development Program. I would highly encourage you to apply for this RSL grant as it can, in the long run, help you achieve your goals and dreams," said Jordan.

With over 1000 students already benefiting since 2007, RSL (Queensland Branch) and Bond University are again offering $500,000 in grants to high achieving senior school students this ANZAC Day. Grants are awarded in the categories of academic achievement; sporting achievement; community leadership and civic participation including art, drama, media and design.

All enquiries about the event should be directed to Scott McDuff.
Email: scott.mcduff@rslqld.org Phone: 07 3634 9438

Applications for the 2013 RSL Youth Development Program open on April 25 and close on November 11, 2013. 

Apply online at www.RSLyouth.com.au

If you have any news you would like to share with the RSL YDP Team, please email RSLyouth@bond.edu.au