The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Honourable Dave Denine, Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector:

Recipients of URock Volunteer Awards Honoured

I rise today to acknowledge the recipients of the 2011 URock Volunteer Awards. This past Saturday night we had an amazing awards gala where we were delighted to have our Premier, the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, present the eight deserving recipients with their awards. Like last year, the 2011 winners blew us away with what they had accomplished and the work they have done not only in this province but around the world.

The URock Volunteer Awards were developed to acknowledge the unique and creative ways young people are volunteering. Nominations may be made in two categories: individuals and organizations or non-profits. Individual nominees must have made outstanding voluntary contributions, be 30 years of age or under and a current or past resident of Newfoundland and Labrador. Organizations or non-profit groups must be led by young people and have made an outstanding contribution.

The volunteer work of all these nominees was truly exceptional. Their stories were remarkable and they have all made an incredible impact on their communities, their province, their country and the world. They are inspirational and examples of the kind of positive change that can be made with leadership, dedication, compassion and hard work. And based on the calibre of all the young people who were nominated and especially of those chosen to receive the award this year, I have every confidence that the future of volunteer and non-profit sector in this province is in good hands.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the recipients of the 2011 URock Volunteer Awards:

• Bishops College Youth Action Committee, St. John’s
• Bridgette Abbott, Musgrave Harbour
• Juliette Dupre, St. Lawrence
• Johnathon Earle, Red Bay
• Corey Hudson, Norman’s Cove-Long Cove
• Liam Kelly, Paradise
• Kara Snow, St. Anthony
• Courtney Young, Port Saunders

Each recipient received a custom-designed electric guitar and were treated to performances from some of the province’s top musical acts. The talented Jonny Harris hosted the event and the amazing Holy Heart of Mary Intercultural Choir opened the show. It was a night they will always remember.

I would like to thank those who took the time to nominate these outstanding young people and also those who came out Saturday night to support them. The URock Volunteer Award winners are leaders in the province and I hope that by recognizing their amazing work, other young people will be encouraged to get involved in their communities and non-profit organizations and prove that they too rock.

Photo: On Saturday, May 14, 2011, the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit sector, awarded eight recipients with the URock Volunteer Award. The award was established to recognize the outstanding work done by young volunteers and youth-led non-profit organizations and groups. Pictured – Left to right: Johnathon Earle of Red Bay, Liam Kelly of Paradise, Courtney Young of Port Saunders, Corey Hudson of Norman’s Cove-Long Cove, the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector, the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Kara Snow of St. Anthony, Tyler Dalton representing Bishops College Youth Action Committee of St. John’s, Juliette Dupre of St. Lawrence, Melanie Lynch representing Bishops College Youth Action Committee of St. John’s, Bridgette Abbott of Musgrave Harbour.

2011 05 17                                                                                 1:45 p.m.