Wodonga Senior Secondary College student Jye McBurnie has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research and recently signed up for the RED Carpet youth committee which runs awards to recognise young people’s contribution to their community.

At only 20, Alannah McKeown, who has Down Syndrome, has already represented Australia in the pool at an international level.

Her first competitive swim event was with the Special Olympics in 2012, followed by the Asia Pacific Games in 2013 where she represented Australia, and the National Games in Melbourne in 2014.

But her proud parents Judith and Alan say Alannah’s commitment to her community extends well beyond making a splash in the pool.

Her kind and thoughtful nature – “she gives the best hugs” – makes Alannah a wonderful mentor to her peers, according to mum Judith.

And because of her involvement in the Special Olympics, a regional swim team has been started with a group of 8 to 10 people training regularly so that they can represent Australia, she said.

Alannah is also a member of the All Abilities netball team run by Wodonga Netball Club.

“She loves being involved and helping others – she is definitely a team player,” Judith said.

Alan said his daughter’s involvement in sport was as much about social interaction and making friends as it was about competition.

Alannah said she felt no pressure from her sporting commitments and was very quick to quote the inspirational motto of the Special Olympics:

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” she said.

The outgoing young woman revealed her dream was to one day own and run her own dance studio.

With a disability awareness theme running through its awards this year, the council has named non-profit organisation Aware Industries as its 2017 Wodonga Community Organisation of the Year.

Aware was recognised for its work improving the lives of people with a disability through meaningful employment.