By Sonia Isaacs
THE Maleny Blackall Range Lions Club is thrilled to announce Eliza Portas as the 2024 Youth of the Year winner at Club and Zone level.
Eliza was announced as speech and overall winner at the Region final held at Woodford State School on March 24.
The Maleny State High School year 12 student will now proceed to the District Final to be held in Toowoomba on Saturday April 13.
Diane Hobson from Maleny Blackall Range Lions, said Eliza demonstrated excellent public speaking qualities, academic skills, and involvement in a wide variety of interests.
Ms Hobson said it was also wonderful to see Eliza supported at every competition by her family and school representatives.
She said as well as acknowledging Eliza’s impressive achievement, the Maleny Blackall Range Lions Club also greatly appreciated the commitment of Maleny State High’s Head of Languages teacher, Peta Fredericks, who had supported the Youth of the Year program wholeheartedly over many years.
“Eliza, as in all entrants from Maleny State High School, is greatly supported by the school and in particular the Head of the school English/Languages Department, Peta Fredericks, we are extremely grateful for this long running support of this initiative” Ms Hobson said.
“We now wish Eliza well in the next level of the competition.”
sonia@gcnews.com.au