Young ambassadors fundraising efforts

The final count has been taken and over $63,000 has been raised by the Apple & Grape Festival Young Ambassadors.
Six Young Ambassadors raised the amount through months of fundraising efforts with plenty of sausage sizzles, street stalls and raffles contributing to the total.
At the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival Gala Ball on Friday, March 2, Mackenzie Elliott, Power Tynan Young Ambassador, was named the 2012 Festival Ambassador and also won the Local Knowledge Award. Isobel Lawrie, L’Aquila Young Ambassador, won the Ambassador’s Choice Award.
Gianna Zannatta, McDonald’s Young Ambassador, raised over $20,000 and was rewarded for her efforts with the title of 2012 Fundraising Ambassador.
“I held lots of cooking classes at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism, Melbourne Cup functions, Christmas in July functions, Mother’s Day functions, I did heaps of different things,” she said.
“There were two other girls who were close on par with me so I was very surprised to get the fundraising title.”
The 2012 Ambassadors can take a well-earned rest over the next year, before starting to encourage others to follow the same path.
“The things you learn through the quest is amazing, I really took a lot out of it,” Gianna said.
“I would definitely encourage others to take part in the quest to be an Apple & Grape Harvest Festival Ambassador,” Gianna said.
Young Ambassadors take part in free courses such as speech writing, etiquette and elocution, allowing them to improve their skills and career prospects.
“While we all put in a lot of hard work for the fundraising, I think it was really great personal development for us,” Gianna said.
“I learnt time management skills and to gain the confidence to speak in public was a really big achievement for me.
“You learn so much about the community and the people in it.
“I was really lucky to have McDonalds behind me because they are really active in the community and they supported me a lot.”