It’s been a busy few months for Emily Orsida.
The Cobram local recently finished Year 12, became her school’s valedictorian and has now received the Moira Shire Australia Day 2024 Young Citizen of the Year award.
During the Australia Day Awards ceremony, Emily was acknowledged for her commitment to volunteering and her love for sports, which saw her compete at state level.
While studying, Emily volunteered with the Soroptimists and Moira Youth Live4Life programs, and she was known for her excellent leadership skills and her desire to help others achieve her best.
Asked how she managed to fit in her volunteering with her studies, Emily admitted it wasn’t easy, but with some shuffling around and a love for both, it was possible.
“It’s (volunteering) is very important to me. And so I feel like it’s up there with studies,” she said.
Emily is a passionate sportswoman who represented her school in badminton at state level.
Emily has also been an active member of the Strathmerton and Yarroweyah netball clubs.
In 2023, Emily was her school’s Captain of Anglican Identity and, as a student leader, spoke at community events such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam War Memorial Day.
According to Emily, her favourite speaking event was the Anzac Day ceremony because of how large it was and how varied in background the attendees were.
Asked if she was ever nervous when speaking at the Anzac Day event, Emily confessed she was.
“Very much so,” she said.
After the ceremony, Emily said winning the Young Citizen of the Year made her a proud resident of Cobram, and she was thankful for the nomination and win.
Like many young graduates from the area, Emily will be leaving Cobram; in her case, to study science at Monash University in Melbourne.
Still, she vowed to visit Cobram regularly.
The Courier congratulates Emily on her win and wishes her all the best in her studies.