I have recently had the privilege of helping judge sixteen young women completing year 12 for an award as Bendigo Zonta Young Woman in Public Affairs for 2014. This is an award given by the International Zonta Club of Bendigo which works towards raising the status of women and children throughout the world.

The questions require written answers of 200 to 300 words, with four questions to be considered. Those questions focus around leadership in the school, community involvement and contribution, international awareness, and status of women in your country and worldwide.

The award is judged on the leadership qualities of young women as school leaders and mentors in the school community. As I read the applications I am in awe of time spent not only completing  their VCE, but in finding time in those packed two  years to contribute to their schools and their communities in such a passionate manner.

These young women can be seen in food vans during the weekends, assisting at the Salvation Army or St Vinnies, helping out at animal shelters, leading girl guide groups, rallying friends to clean up a cemetery, and still they find time to achieve academic success and dream of moving on to university studies  and overseas.

They have worked for international charities as well as community charities and speak strongly for the rights of the disadvantaged in our communities and for the rights of women and children both in Australia and abroad .

They are strong advocates for financial equality in the work place and promotion on merit. They speak to their school populations about issues around poverty, families, refugees and education in third world countries.

It says much for the future of our country and internationally that we can see these young women confidently accepting positions of responsibility wherever they live, post school and university. 

It offers us an opportunity to appreciate young people today and value the input they are making and will continue to make as they aspire to improve our world.

The seven finalists were invited to an award ceremony and the winning recipient was named and given a gift of $500 as a scholarship. The winner moves on to international judging, competing against YWPA scholarship winners from other countries. 

All finalists were given the opportunity to speak to the Zontians present at the ceremony. The six runners-up were rewarded with smaller amounts of money and a certificate of appreciation for their efforts during the year, as active members of their school community and beyond.

Congratulations to Neerja and all sixteen young women. The three judges described you all as inspirational!