Teenagers Take Awards by Storm

On Tuesday 13th May, 2008, the Rotary Club of Hawthorn will present two teenagers with Rotary Shine On Awards trophies. Shine On Awards are an Australia wide Rotary award program that recognises outstanding service by persons with disabilities. The awardees are recognised for not letting their disabilities get in the way in reaching their goals to serve others.

Marina Connelly, 19, is legally blind with a condition called Albinism, and Daniel Tan, 16, was born with microtia and has no ear canal openings. Despite their disabilities, both are multi-talented musicians, committed and achievers, with great success in music.

Marina , achieved an ENTER score of 98.65 and is now gaining first class honours in subjects at Melbourne University. She has has studied both piano and singing, and was given a special scholarship for classes with Opera Australia. She is a member of the 2008 Trinity College Choir; an advocate and Treasurer for the Young Blind Citizens Victoria, in St Marys Church Choir, North Melbourne, and has attended the National Braille Music Camp. Marina won the Dame Merlyn Myer Leadership Award (Future Leaders Association); the Betty Amsden Music Bursary - Vision Australia and the U Thant Debating Trophy (United Nations Youth Association.)

Daniel has achieved A+ for Grade 8 Australian Music Exams, won a Henry Tozeau Strongs Award, and last year won an Encouragement Award for the Bernstein Piano Competition Music Award. Two years ago, Daniel has underwent full ear reconstruction. He plays school sports and has studied both piano and violin, earning high praise and awards for musicianship.

He also does voluntary work for St Vincent de Paul, performed at the Hawthorn Rotary Clubs Christmas function in 2007 and helped out at the Chinese Museum during the Chinese New year.

District Shine On chairman, Dawn Watson attended the May 13 meeting and made the presentation to the two awardees after reading their impressive citations. (The photo below shows Daniel and Marina at left with Dawn Watson and president Ian Macfarlane on the right)