- Latest News
LOVING LIFE: Emily Rawlings loves animals, music and helping other people.
Young Citizen of the Year
Emily Rawlings
It was no shock to see a Young Citizen of the Year nomination for Emily Rawlings and even less of a surprise to see the judges vote her the 2019 winner.
Emily is one of the most familiar faces in Whyalla through her constant and tireless efforts in the community for people, animals and the environment. If she isn’t donating her time to sing and provide entertainment at an event, she will be behind the scenes organising these events, promoting them, rolling up her sleeves to make them happen or actively caring for animals and our surrounds.
Emily is not only a remarkable young person, she is one of Whyalla’s true characters who can combine her passions with a fantastic sense of fun and joy.
“She works full time and has just recently completed Year 12 studies offline, she lives out of home and we don’t know where she gets the time from,” her nominator said.
“But she makes everything work out in the end, in usual Emily style.”
Emily’s list of activities and endeavours is exhausting.
She is probably best known as a local musician and is constantly volunteering her time at fundraisers such as the Super Lucy foundation, Michael Thackeray fundraiser, McHappy Day and she also plays at old folks homes for free.
She is a host on Triple Y, Whyalla’s local radio station, with her own show. She also covers for other shows and assists with sausage sizzles, working bees and outside broadcasts.
Emily is a member of the Whyalla Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) where she helps out with many community events such as Magic in the Park, the uneARTh Festival, inflatable world and many opening events at places like the youth centre and headspace.
Emily is also an environment lover and in her spare time picks up bags of rubbish in marine areas. The money she makes from the cans and bottles is donated to charity. Emily also likes to get creative with the rubbish she collects, turning her ocean debris into works of art to encourage people to stop littering and raising awareness to what is going into the oceans.
Emily is also a part of the Whyalla Music Association where she helps out with gigs and is seen as a leader for the younger generation at the association. She is always offering advice and encouraging people to do their best.
Emily has now enrolled for Foundation studies while working fulltime and still volunteering her time generously.
“She works full time and has just recently completed Year 12 studies offline, she lives out of home and we don’t know where she gets the time from.”
As an animal lover, Emily is always donating money to those in need through Facebook orientated sites such as SA dog rescue and this year took part of PAWGUST to raise money for the guide dogs. She picks up wandering dogs and returns them to owners regularly and is always on the look-out for stray animals in need of help.
“Emily will always help out where she can, whether it be having a bake sale to raise money for something or lending out PA equipment, she always tries to help,” her nominator said.
“She is a great representation of our local youth and will go far.”
Well, Emily has already gone far with her long list of community-minded efforts already earning her a swag of awards and this year’s Young Citizen of the Year is another worthy honour.
Emily will receive her award tonight (Friday, January 25) before being honoured again at the Australia Day celebrations in Ada Ryan Gardens tomorrow (Saturday, January 26).
READ MORE ABOUT THE AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS
http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=182&c=72892
http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1009&c=72825
http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1009&c=72816