Fairfield Council rewarded her efforts last night and named her Young Citizen of the Year.

Tarsha, who lives in Bonnyrigg and is studying law at the University of Sydney, has taken a lead role in representing the interest and needs of young people and promoting participation in charity events and support for humanitarian causes.

She is a member of the Fairfield City Council Youth Advisory Committee and also the Youth Action Policy Association's Western Sydney Youth Committee.

Tarsha has also been instrumental in gaining recognition of the need for a youth centre in Fairfield.

She told the Champion that her involvement with the committees was "a great opportunity to show what Fairfield's young people need".

Tarsha's contributions to the community as a volunteer include:

¦ Proposing the concept of the inaugural Fairfield Youth Achievement Awards to Fairfield Council, and leading the event

¦ Presenting the views of the Youth Advisory Committee and local young people to Fairfield councillors, which led to the approval of the Fairfield Youth and Community Centre development

¦ Representing the local community at forums such as the Australian Government's 2009 Youth Forum, Student Forum, Young Leaders Day and the Future Leaders Forum

¦ Selection as a member of the NSW Young People's Advisory Committee in 2008 and 2009 to advise the NSW Government on Youth Week activities and the NSW event program

¦ Appointment by the NSW government as chairperson of the NSW Young People's Advisory Committee

¦ Being a Red Cross volunteer and taking part in fund-raising for the Cancer Council, the Cabramatta Moon Festival and Stewart House

Tarsha's achievements include:

¦ Receiving the Premier's All-Round Excellence Award

¦ Being presented with an Australian Students Prize by federal MP Julia Irwin

Awards received:

¦ 2010 Young Woman of the West, Highly Commended Award

¦ 2010 Jamieson Award

¦ Golden Key Society New Member Award

¦ 2005 Winner of Rotary Club Service to School and finalist in Recognition of Youth Awards