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PROUD NIGHT: Cyanne and Zia Westerman with their awards on Saturday night.
Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin has congratulated Zia and Cyanne Westerman for their 2019 Seven News Young Achiever Awards.
Twin sisters Zia and Cyanne made it another double on Friday night at the Awards Australia SA gala presentation in Adelaide when they took out their respective categories. Beating a strong field of contenders from throughout state, Zia was announced winner of the Santos: Proudly Australian Regional Service Award while Cyanne was honoured with the Webster Lawyers Service to the Community Award.
The Young Achiever Awards acknowledge, encourage and, most importantly, promote the positive achievements of all young people throughout Australia up to and including 29 years of age as of 31st December each year.
The Websters Lawyers Service to the Community Award recognises young people who go the extra mile in their volunteering activities, promote community spirit, put the needs of others before their own, and make important contributions to the communities they live.
The Santos: Proudly Australian Regional Service Award recognises regional and rural young achievers and community contributors, acknowledging those who are helping to reshape and inspire their local communities.
Mayor McLaughlin said Zia and Cyanne represent everything the two awards stand for and more.
“When you look at the criteria for these awards, Zia and Cyanne go above and beyond these requirements,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“A couple of the qualities particularly stand out for me when we talk about these amazing girls and they are ‘going the extra mile, putting the needs of others before their own and inspiring their local communities’.
“Zia and Cyanne display these qualities every day and in every community endeavour they put their mind to.”
Zia and Cyanne received a $1000 award prize courtesy of Axsys, along with a $1000 Bartercard account and a trophy.
Three category finalists were selected for each award. From the three category finalists one finalist was selected as the category award winner. The judging panel included representatives from award sponsors, community leaders and independent expert judges for each category.
AWARD BIOS
WEBSTER LAWYERS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AWARD
Cyanne Westerman , 27 of Whyalla is fighting for the rights of people living with disability. As a founding member of the Whyalla Youth Advisory Committee she suggested to hold an event to acknowledge the International Day of People living with Disability. Cyanne, who was born with Muscular Distrophy, is member of the Whyalla Beach Access Group and been actively pushing for an accessible beach for all people, fundraising for Beach Wheelchairs, and educating locals on the shift to accessible beaches. Cyanne was an advisor on the local Disability Advisory Group formed by the Whyalla Council and Regional Development Australia and helped develop the “Living Well, Whyalla’s Masterplan for Disability & Ageing"
SANTOS: PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL SERVICE AWARD
Zia Westerman , 27 of Whyalla is an inspirational leader and advocate for young people with disability. Having born with Muscular Dystrophy, Zia is no stranger to the challenges faced by disabled persons. She is a founding member of the Whyalla Youth Advisory Committee, a member of the Disability Advisory Group and was recently elected as a Councillor for Whyalla City Council. As part of these organisations, Zia provided insights on her struggles so that they could better understand the journey of people who have a disability. She helped organise events such as Australia Day Events, National Tree Day and Clean Up Australia Day.