Will Andrew be Illawarra’s Best Catch?

Andrew Horne, from UOW’s Weerona College is one of six finalists in the running for this year’s Illawarra Best Catch. Best Catch Australia is in its fourth year and rewards young men who volunteer and display qualities of integrity, respect and a commitment to their local community.

The program recognises the need for the introduction of initiatives that focus on providing a safe environment for young men to freely and independently explore the values and characteristics they want to exhibit. This is achieved through acknowledging, valuing and celebrating the positive contributions they make to our local community.

Andrew, aged 20, is a student representative from the Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at UOW and is also an orientation team leader at Weerona College, one of the student residences at UOW. Andrew has contributed to local communities in a number of ways including volunteering for the Cancer Council as a Survivor Development Officer for the Illawarra Relay for Life, participating as a committee member of UOW Alliance for Rural Populations (SHARP), and participates in the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW Youth where he encourages young people in rural areas that have a passion in agricultural to get involved within their local communities Andrew is also a member of the Berrigan Agricultural Youth Team and a member of the Berrigan Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society. Andrew has participated in locally run national initiatives including Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day.

Originally coming from the bush, Andrew stated that young people within small rural communities are discouraged to volunteer within organisations.

“Life goes by so quickly, and the opportunities that we are given shape ourselves as we mature and get old. By getting involved within local community organisations, I have met fantastic and dedicated members of our local area who are full of life and are willing to help in any shape possible. Through participating in the Illawarra’s Best Catch I hope that I can encourage young people from all walks of life to get involved within the local community and volunteer where possible".

The finalists take part in the Illawarra’s Best Catch black tie dinner at the city Beach Function Centre to be held this Saturday, October 31.

We wish Andrew all the best!

For more information about Illawarra’s Best Catch go to: http://www.bestcatch.com.au/.