By Callum Ludwig
Two young leaders of the Upper Yarra have been rewarded for their community-minded efforts, and named as joint winners of the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (UYCE)’s Ian De La Rue Youth Initiative Award.
Marley Perry and Cooper Allum have each received $1000 to support them in their lives, studies or community work.
Marley said when she first heard the news, she was so excited and grateful to have been nominated.
“This award means a lot to me as it represents all the effort, I have put in around the community from coaching to helping with primary school sports days,” she said,
“I am going to use the money towards something for my motorbike racing. In five years, I see myself racing motorbikes, and being an electrician.”
Haley Toy from the Yarra Junction Junior Netball Club nominated Marley for the award, grateful for her assistance in coaching the U11 and U13 Yarra Junction netball teams and for being the trainer for the Wesburn Junior Football Club’s U11 team.
Ms Toy said she personally believes Marley is the perfect candidate for the youth award as the list of volunteer work Marley has done in the Yarra Valley at just 15 years of age is incredible.
“At the age of 13 when Marley took on her first coaching role at Yarra Junction Junior Netball Club, she didn’t even play for our club. She was actually a player from Launching Place Netball Club but had heard we needed help and continued to play for Launching Place while she coached for our club,” she said.
“Marley has not only made a huge impact on Yarra Junction Junior Netball Club over the years, she also stepped up at Wesburn Junior Football Club taking on a massive role in U11 when volunteering to become their trainer for the 2023 season,”
“Marley’s passion for helping others is rare to find and I honestly believe Marley deserves this award and should be recognised for all her hard work over the years.”
Marley was nominated a second time by Upper Yarra Secondary College (UYSC) teacher Mitchell Gray for her assistance in helping local primary school sports programs and events run smoothly.
Mr Gray said Marley is a talented young leader.
She stands above her peers for her level of initiative and commitment,” he said.
“Her presence in our community truly enriches us.”
Mr Allum was nominated by Catherine Aulich of the Upper Yarra Basketball Association (UYBA) for his contributions to the referee program, taking on the roles of Assistant Referee Advisor and Referee Trainee Program Lead.
Ms Aulich said she was a very good friend of the late Ian De La Rue OAM and he was a great mentor to her in her youth.
“Ian wanted to celebrate and encourage young persons who would always push for the extra mile and Cooper exemplifies all the qualities that I know Ian would have loved to see in a young leader, and he would have appreciated what an amazing young man Cooper is, with an incredibly bright future ahead,” she said.
“Cooper is a remarkable young man and it’s hard to comprehend that he has only just turned 18 years old, Cooper shows the maturity and wisdom of someone far beyond his years and I know he is destined for great things.”
Cooper also featured on the Student Representative Council at UYSC, further showcasing his leadership abilities and willingness to work with others.
Cooper said the win was overwhelming and he was grateful to have been considered and chosen for something so special to our community.
“Receiving such an honourable award to our community means so much to me. I love being involved within our Basketball community sport, and I could never thank Cat enough for recognising my love and involvement,” he said.
“Definitely some [of the money will go] towards university or future studies, possibly even towards travelling and definitely to buy a new pair of runners.”
“A goal of mine has always been to teach overseas but I don’t think I’ll have all my qualifications in time for that in 5 years, hopefully in 10 and I’m hoping I’m still involved with UYBA in some way, even though I know I may not be living in the Yarra Valley 24/7.”
Created during his time as chairman of the Bendigo Community Bank of Warburton and Yarra Junction, the Youth Initiative Award went on to be named in honour of Ian De La Rue OAM and is awarded each year to a student or multiple students from the community as they leave secondary school.
“We are pleased to have not just one but two extraordinary recipients this year who exemplify all that the Award stands for and congratulate and thank Cooper and Marley for their contribution to community at such a young age,” said UYCE Board Member Elizabeth Fox.
“They are clearly destined for great things, and we wish them the very best in whatever they pursue.”
