Congratulations to first year Architecture student, Evange Epa, who has been named 2013 Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year.
Evange was recognised for his community contribution as the Gold Coast’s Junior Mayor from 2011 to 2012, as well as his participation in Clean Up Australia Day and the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life.
“In 2011, I joined a group known as the Northern Collegiate which involved four Gold Coast schools and looked at ways that we could give back to the community,” he said.
“Our first project was Clean Up Australia Day where we gathered a team of 60-70 students to work in the area between The Spit and Main Beach.
“I then served as Committee Chair for the Collegiate’s participation in Relay for Life where we raised around $4000 for the Cancer Council; and served again as Chair for our No Go Graffiti Group where we visited our feeder schools to give a 45-minute presentation to primary students.
“In Year 12, I was chosen as one of the Northern Collegiate mentors – along with Shantelle Jackson who is also now at Bond studying Business/Commerce.”
As Junior Mayor, a key highlight of Evange’s term of office was the opportunity to speak to Commonwealth Games delegates during the Gold Coast’s ultimately successful pitch to host the 2018 games.
“I addressed luncheons attended by the South Pacific and African delegates, focusing on the benefits of the Games for Gold Coast and Queensland youth,” he said.
“I also had the honour of addressing the city when the Gold Coast was announced as host venue.”
In just six weeks at Bond University’s Institute of Sustainable Development and Architecture, Evange has already made his mark by getting involved with on-campus community activities.
“I’ve joined lots of clubs and societies at Bond – including the Cheerleading Team and the Make a Difference Society,” he said.
“For Valentine’s Day, I walked around campus serenading students and selling roses and cupcakes to raise more than $1770 for a charity in the Solomon Islands.
“I also volunteered for the Bleach Festival, sewing around 200 metres of fabric that were placed over pavilions designed by three of my fellow Bondies.”
And whilst he’s still settling into uni life, Evange has applied to serve as the youth member for Surfers Paradise in the 2013 Queensland Youth Parliament and is planning to participate in the Alumni Choir at this year’s Creative Generation: State Schools Choir, where he featured as a vocalist in 2011 and 2012. Phew!!
“Ultimately, I’m pretty sure I’ll end up in politics but, for now, I’m loving studying Architecture at Bond and trying lots of new things.”