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Indigenous Gaven student Holly Summers inspiring her community

Holly Summers is a young woman with dreams to change the world for the better — and she’s on track to make it happen.

The empowering women shaping 2020

HOLLY Summers is a young woman with big dreams to change the world for the better.

The 18-year-old student is an advocate for indigenous people, young athletes and conservation, representing the community through her role as youth parliament member for Gaven.

Ms Summers has been nominated in the Harvey Norman Women of the Year Awards in the young people category for her passion for helping others and inspiring her peers to chase their goals.

“One of the biggest opportunities I had was I got involved with the NRL (in high school),” Ms Summers said.

FROM REBELLIOUS TEEN TO BUDDING PARAMEDIC

Holly Summers is a Women of the Year nominee. Picture: Jerad Williams
Holly Summers is a Women of the Year nominee. Picture: Jerad Williams

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I started doing it as a community program with the NRL officers and got involved with the Preston Campbell Foundation.

“It was really amazing. I would go back and talk to the younger students, and there were more opportunities (to give back).”

Ms Summers volunteers with the Disabled Surfers Association and the Animal Welfare League Queensland.

She has won awards such as the NRL’s Young Person of the Year, after being nominated by the Gold Coast Titans, and speaks at events in the region.

Ms Summers said one of her proudest moments was running a mental health stall at her school, Pacific Pines State High last year, for which she invited rugby league star Preston Campbell to speak.

“My school said they weren’t going to run a mental health stall at the health expo that year so I ran it myself,” she said.

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Holly is part of the youth parliament for Gaven, an advocate for young indigenous people, animals and young athletes. Picture: Jerad Williams
Holly is part of the youth parliament for Gaven, an advocate for young indigenous people, animals and young athletes. Picture: Jerad Williams

APP CREATED ON COAST CONNECTS WOMEN ACROSS GLOBE

“I’ve got a massive passion for humpback whales, turtles and especially sharks, working with those marine animals. My ultimate goal would be to move over to South Africa. Their biodiversity is amazing.”

NOMINATE NOW

Women of the Year is a Gold Coast Bulletin-led campaign recognising the contribution of women in the community, often working behind the scenes to make the world a better place.

Nominations close tomorrow evening, so there’s still time to nominate. Categories include angels among us, champions of education, champions of sport, entrepreneurs, the entertainers, wellness warriors and young women, as well as an all new category for both men and women: mentors, where either gender can be nominated for helping to lead and improve the lives of women.

The Bulletin has received more than 170 nominations in the four-week period, but we need your help to make sure more deserving women are being acknowledged for their outstanding achievements.

Head to womenoftheyear.com.au to nominate. Nominations close tomorrow evening.

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/indigenous-gaven-student-holly-summers-inspiring-her-community/news-story/14486c9e8b944724f201d752f778b989