VCE Achiever
2009 VCE Achiever
Ryan Bartok – Ballarat High School
‘There are about 22 000 youths who are homeless in Australia and, as young people, we should be raising awareness of the problem. It is an issue that we shouldn’t sleep on any more’, said Ryan Bartok from Ballarat High School.
As a member of the Victorian Police Youth Leadership Program, Ryan helped organise the Ballarat Secondary Schools Homeless Sleep Out where 100 local students slept rough for a night to experience what it would like to be homeless. Their aim was to raise funds for and awareness about homelessness in Australia, particularly youth homelessness.
Ryan’s role was crucial in obtaining sponsorship for the Sleep Out. He proposed the idea to the St John of God Hospital Board who donated $10 000 towards the cause. This money has provided for those most in need in the community in the form of Homeless Kits containing toiletries, non-perishable foods and other essential items.
Other homeless awareness programs that Ryan has helped organise include HAPPY (Homeless Awareness Programs for Primary Years) Day. At this event young people in the community came together to take a stand against domestic violence, a key cause of homelessness among young people.
‘Getting out there to be with other people is what I like best about what I do. I like meeting up with like-minded people to help others in need. It creates good community spirit’, said Ryan.
Along with his advocacy for social justice, Ryan is also committed to making a difference at his school.
This year Ryan is Vice-Captain and Form Captain at Ballarat High School and uses these leadership roles to promote a better sense of community within the school. Through his mentorship of Year 8 students, he has instilled pride, responsibility and respect in them to make the school a better place. He continues to encourage them to develop their own ideas and achieve their goals.
As part of the leadership team at school, Ryan has also helped organise a sausage sizzle and coffee stand on sports day to raise money for victims of the recent bushfires in Victoria.
Ryan is the School Debating Captain and a very keen public speaker. ‘I’ve been part of the Debating Association of Victoria since Year 9. I have always loved debating – basically if there’s an opportunity for me to talk, I’ll take it!’
Ryan has also competed in the Lion’s Youth of the Year Quest and was regional runner-up last year. Not surprisingly, one of Ryan’s favourite topics is social justice and the need to help others. He will be participating in the VCAA’s Plain English Speaking Award later this year.
At the moment Ryan’s focus is on finishing his VCE this year. He would like to go on to study Law at university and work towards becoming a public prosecutor.
The VCE Achiever Award is coordinated by the VCAA to recognise the efforts of VCE students in promoting community involvement in their local school and wider community. VCE Achievers actively participate in such activities as the arts, environmental protection, aged care, hospitality, local council initiatives, fundraising and public speaking. Monthly finalists receive a three-month subscription to the Herald Sun, and in December one overall winner will receive a notepad computer donated by Lenovo Australia. Students in government, Catholic and independent schools may apply for the award in 2009 by using the application form on the VCAA website (Excellence and Awards > VCE Achiever Award).
