A special presentation ceremony in Queens Park Botanic Gardens on Monday evening, 12th September was the culmination of six months of planning, fundraising, learning and growing for the fourteen entrants in this year’s Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Young Ambassador Program.
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Roxanne Parker, a 21 year old student administrator at the University of Southern Queensland (sponsored by USQ) was named 2011 Young Ambassador, and was also voted Ambassador’s Choice award winner by her fellow entrants. Amanda Steger (sponsored by the Spotted Cow) was awarded Associate Ambassador, Tennielle Copson (The Chronicle) gained the Encouragement Award and Elesha Hetherington (Southern Cross Ford) received the RACQ Careflight fundraiser award.
Toowoomba Regional Radio Group’s Gordon Patterson spoke with Roxanne at the end of the evening.
Prior to judging, the entrants received professional coaching, personal development training and industry insight through ten tailored workshops on a range of topics including social etiquette, event management, financial planning, goal setting and Toowoomba history.
Each entrant also planned and managed at least one major fundraising event with all proceeds being directed to this year’s charity, RACQ Careflight. The variety of fundraising events reflected their diverse talents and interests ranging from opera, high tea, bush poetry, to ten pin bowling, a movie night and other activities.
As well as the individual fundraisers, the entrants collaborated in putting on the third annual Pig Races at the Mill Tavern in Toowoomba, attracting more than 400 onlookers.