TWO of Ballarat’s finest products have been nominated for the 2015 Regional Development Victoria Leadership and Innovation awards.
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Gifted ballet student Sarah Perkins and Ballarat Health Services worker Suzanne Powell will be judged for their considerable services to the Ballarat community on Wednesday, September 2.
The awards encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities and businesses are making throughout regional and rural Victoria.
Finalists will be presented and winners announced at an awards gala presentation dinner at Etihad Stadium on Friday, October 16.
Nominations closed on Friday, July 24, for 10 different categories.
Ms Perkins left Ballarat to Brisbane to follow her dream of performing in a ballet company at just 16 years of age.
Living on her own, she has had to shop, cook, clean, catch transport to her ballet studio as well as undertake year 11 and 12 studies.
Already a recipient of numerous awards for excellence in her field, Ms Perkins has also found herself a part time job to help with the costs associated with the move.
Her mother Sharon said she is ahead of her years.
“She’s had to move from to Ballarat from Queensland, which is a very big thing for her,” Sharon said.
“She’s a fairly quiet girl and this has been a pretty good achievement.
“It would be good to see her get some sort of acknowledgement for what she’s done.”
Ms Perkins’ dedication has rubbed off on many of her fellow dancers.
Her return trips to Ballarat are often accompanied with visits to her old ballet school, Anita Coutts School of Dancing.
Meanwhile, Ms Powell, a team leader in Ballarat Health Services’ alcohol and other drugs program, has made a significant contribution to a problem that has swept the city.
Ms Powell has developed several projects to counter drug and alcohol abuse in Ballarat’s youth, including a feasibility study conducted in 2013 into delivering a community rehabilitation program, which she commenced work on in March last year.
Colleague Claire Ryan describes her as a significant leader in the community.
“She’s been with an alcohol and drug team for seven years as a youth outreach worker,” she said.
“She has a very quiet, calm manner – she’s a quiet achiever, but she really gets the job done.
“She would be a really deserving winner of the award and we’re absolutely delighted to have her on our staff.”
