This Week Wednesday 25 May 2022 – Lunch Meeting
Speakers Young Achievers
Award presented by Dr Alan Finkel AC
Topic Young Achiever Awards 2022
Venue No35 Sofitel & Online via ZOOM
Register https://events.humanitix.com/rotary-melbourne-25-may
About the Awards
In 1991 the Club’s Vocational Service Committee asked the Board to create a special award recognising outstanding young Victorians with an award and a cash prize.
The following criteria are considered when deciding the successful recipient: * candidate must be between 18 and 26 years of age;
* candidate must have demonstrated outstanding success in education or training for their chosen vocation;
* candidate must have also made a significant contribution in the form of service to the community;
It has been a custom each year for the awards to be presented by a significant Australian. This year Australia's former Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel AC has agreed to present the Awards.
Chair: Marg Leser
2022 Awardees
Laura McArthur - Medical Research and Student Leadership
Laura McArthur completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Doctor of Medicine at Monash University. While undertaking her degree as a recipient of a Monash Scholarship for Excellence, she was awarded numerous academic prizes including the Harriet Power Prize in Clinical Medicine and the John Cade Medal. Laura was selected for the University’s prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Ancora Imparo Leadership Program, and, has been awarded the Victorian Rhodes Scholarship for 2022. Laura is currently working as a junior doctor at the Alfred Hospital. She aims to focus on the elimination of infectious diseases such as ending trachoma, and hepatitis.
With a keen interest in health equity driving her to pursue a career in medicine, Laura volunteered with the Burnet Institute on research relating to rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases and with the Australian Red Cross on mental health, community connectedness and loneliness. Also, while at University, she launched a global health newsletter in her role as Ignite Global Health Group’s Education Officer, and enjoyed acting as a mentor for junior medical students through the Academic Mentoring Program. Building on interests recognised by her receipt of a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, she continues to enjoy swimming and writing.
Inspired by patients, clinicians, researchers and volunteers, Laura hopes to continue to work towards her passion for health equity. With her Rhodes Scholarship for 2022 she will be traveling to Oxford University in the UK in September to undertake an MSc in Evidence- Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation. Through this, she looks forward to having the opportunity to learn from academics and peers, developing knowledge and skills around the design and implementation of effective interventions for health inequities. On her return to Australia, she looks forward to pursing her career in Medicine.
Berat Kaya - Advocate for Community Service
Currently Berat is completing his double degree in Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology from RMIT. In 2020 he has successfully completed his Certificate IV in Community Services and in 2021 he completed a Diploma of Youth Work at RMIT. His commitment to his studies is testament to the work that he has undertaken with the Brotherhood of St Laurence and other partnered organisations. Berat has actively participated in ongoing community engagement where he has enthusiastically and willingly wanted to support young people of likeminded to engage in the community projects. He continues to pursue his interest in photography
In 2019, he was awarded Youth of the North Award and in 2021, he received two awards for the Young Legends Award for his insights about the importance of Keeping Victoria Beautiful and raising value among young people to respect their living standards. Last year, he also received the Hume Council Young Citizens Award.
Joseph Alkarra - Community Service Leadership
Joseph was a refugee from Syria when he came to Australia. Currently Joseph is completing his Masters degree in Mechatronics from The University of Melbourne. Due to his outstanding academic achievements, he was nominated for Ormond College Scholar in Melbourne University. Recently he also attained Dafydd Lewis Scholarship and Melbourne Access Scholarship.
He is also passionate about the volunteering work and currently is part of Youth Without Borders Non-for-Profit initiative. Delivering a life-changing opportunity for around 120 participants per year who are year 10-12 students to see what experiences are offered by universities, particularly in engineering. He is also a recipient of Western Chances Scholarship. He is involved with the Atlas Programme linked to Lord Somers Camp and a range of other organisations.
