Students involved in the John Curtin Leadership Academy were lauded for their contribution to the community at their recent graduation ceremony.
Several business and community leaders attended to celebrate the success of the latest crop of graduates.
Over the past year, the 25 JCLA graduates raised $40,000 to support local and international charities.
One group established the Bentley Community Garden Committee alongside the City of Canning.
“The community garden was part of a plan to remove the negative stigma surrounding a government housing block,” team member Lewis Cann said.
“We worked with the community to build their enthusiasm and involvement towards a sustainable garden.”
A second team rose $10,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service by organising a wine tour, WA School of Mines Games event and a movie fundraiser.
That group was nominated for the Chevron ‘Spirit of the West’ Awards for their passion and commitment to the project.
A third JCLA team chose local charity VOW, to help bring local and national artists together in an arts and music festival in Fremantle.
This group rose more than $14,000 for VOW to provide education for Aboriginal children, and orphans in Cambodia.
Others raised funds for Teen Challenge, a group that provides drug rehabilitation for teenagers.
In excess of $14,000 was raised from a Theatre night, ‘Kick for Drugs’ Kung Fu day and a movie fundraiser.
The money will be used to help one adolescent go through drug rehabilitation for one year.
JCLA Coordinator Daniel Mitchell said the project participants put into practice the management, planning, networking, conflict resolution and public relations theory they learned as part of the leadership program.
The program is an entrepreneurial leadership initiative that promotes among participants the vision, leadership and community involvement displayed by wartime Prime Minister, John Curtin.
