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For most people, juggling three jobs would make it very hard to find time to volunteer in their community, but not for 2025 Warrnambool Young Citizen of the Year Sharna Rogers.
“If there’s a gap in my Google Calendar, I fill it,” joked the 22-year-old.
And for her, the reason is simple.
“Life is about making human connections and then gaining our skills and sharing them,” she said.
Sharna was recognised for her work with the Warrnambool FReeZA crew, helping to create more opportunities for young people in the region, particularly in the creative industries. Sharna is a driving force within the group, devising and implementing new ideas while sharing her skills with others.
“Music is a huge passion of mine, it always has been, and to be involved in the industry in any way possible to promote it… I’ll do anything I can to help that,” she said.
“FReeZA has definitely helped me gain more skills and more confidence, but also allowed me to give back and teach other people as well.
“I feel like I worked really hard to get to where I am, and if I can help shortcut that for some people and make it easier for them, why would I not?”
Sharna said that she was just one of many young people trying to make a difference, and she encouraged others who wanted to see changes to be the ones to make them.
“There are so many people… that are also doing amazing things but aren’t being recognised and I think it’s important to appreciate that as much as one singular person doing something,” she said.
“If you’re under the age of 25 and you don’t think there’s enough happening in our region, get in contact, contact me directly, and we will get something happening.
“If you want a fashion parade, or you’re really into sculptures and you want to learn how to do sculptures, there’s nothing between FReeZA and volunteering and getting involved in the community that will stop you, but you need to have that initial drive.”
And for existing clubs looking for more involvement from young people, Sharna’s advice was to give youth the freedom to pursue the ideas they thought would work best.
“If you are an adult running a community group or some kind of club, make it as easy as possible for them. Make sure you’re giving them space to do what they want to do,” she said.
“You could get 20 kids in a room, and they’ll come up with an amazing idea, and there’s no way 20 adults could have come up with that.”
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain congratulated Sharna on the award.
“Sharna is an absolute dynamo, and the embodiment of the collective youth energy that isn’t always noticed by everyone, but is definitely simmering away and delivering results,” he said.
“It’s one thing to have a creative mind capable of great ideas, and it’s another thing to have the commitment to see them delivered, Sharna is a rare combination of both.
“She has already done so much for our region in a short time, and I’m really looking forward to seeing all the good that she will do in the years ahead.”
Sharna will be officially presented with her award at a ceremony on Thursday January 23 at 6pm. The event will be held at The STAGE, Emmanuel College, Ardlie St, with all welcome to attend.
Other award winners include Citizen of the Year Nathan McKane, Local Achiever Mike Toone and the Warrnambool Community Garden’s Open Day which is the Community Event of the Year.
The event will also include an Australian Citizenship ceremony, with 49 people to take the Pledge and officially become Australian Citizens.