Jessica Duthie nominated for Young Citizen of the Year 2022 for work with children

Bega Valley Shire has named Jessica Duthie as its Young Citizen of the Year for 2022. Jessica is described as a focused and determined young woman who is studying to become an early childhood education and care (ECEC) worker. 

She will receive her award at a special event in Littleton Gardens Bega on Australia Day, 26 January.

“What many of us might see as unmanageable barriers to achieving her career goals, Jessica takes in her stride,” reported local paper Bega District News.

Jessica is a young carer who looks after her two younger siblings when her mother is unwell, which has made her schooling and studying particularly challenging. She has completed her Certificate III Pathway to Further Study at the Bega campus of TAFE, and was subsequently a successful applicant for Bega Valley Shire Council’s 2021 further education scholarship, the proceeds from which were used to buy a laptop.

The course has given Jessica the study skills necessary to succeed in the next stage of her education, a Certificate IV in Community Services. With this qualification, Jessica will be able to gain work experience in ECEC services.

Looking after her siblings over the years, the paper noted, has given Jessica solid practical experience and is something she really enjoys. Her long-term goal is to run her own after-school care business.

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