WINNING JUNIOR AMBASSADOR COLE PONTIFEX

Cole Pontifex was more than overjoyed when he was announced as the Winning Junior Ambassador for the 2024 Burdekin Water Festival, a moment he says he’ll never forget.

“The night when I was announced as the Winning Ambassador felt amazing, and it’ll be a night I’ll never forget, it was great!” explained Cole.

Cole has been an active and valued member of the Burdekin Academy since he was 10 and representing the Academy as one of their Junior Ambassadors in the 2024 Burdekin Water Festival was an opportunity nothing short of amazing.

Cole believes the winning title stands as both a fantastic representation of himself and the Burdekin Academy as an organisation, explaining that he hopes his journey will inspire more people to join the Academy, especially more boys.

“I’m proud that I have represented the Academy, and the Academy is proud of me,” expressed Cole.

“Hopefully I have encouraged other boys to try new things, join gymnastics, or even become an Ambassador themselves.”

Reflecting on his time as a Junior Ambassador, Cole strongly encourages anyone thinking about the possibility of putting their hand up to be an Ambassador for the 2025 Burdekin Water Festival to take the opportunity.

“DO IT – you will not regret it!”

Cole warmly thanks and congratulates all the other 2024 Ambassadors and the Burdekin Water Festival Committee for all their hard work and for supporting him throughout this amazing experience.

WINNING SENIOR AMBASSADOR DEMI O’SHEA

Demi O’Shea has been crowned as the Winning Senior Ambassador for the 2024 Burdekin Water Festival where she proudly represented Campbell’s Jewellery. Demi has described this honour as extraordinary, and a true reflection of her authentic self, explaining she feels a strong sense of belonging to the Burdekin region, and all its community members.

“I fully went into this journey with my heart and soul, and I learnt so much about myself, and that’s a real testament to our town and how much you grow in the place that we get to call home with the friendships and memories you make along the way, and I’m just so grateful to have had my moment with our town,” explained Demi.

Demi began her Senior Ambassador journey when she was asked to represent Campbell’s Jewellery earlier this year, and she believes her accomplishment reflects the hard work and dedication of both Rose and her staff.

“Representing Campbell’s Jewellery was just a heartwarming experience as they’re such a giving group of people, and it was amazing to be able to give back to them.”

Looking back on her Ambassador journey, Demi cherishes the lifelong connections she was able to make with her fellow Ambassadors, especially the role she was able to play in the development of the Junior Ambassadors.

“Being able to work with the Junior Ambassadors was a major component in this journey for me, as I really did feel like an older sister to them and being able to be like a role model to them meant the world to me,” shared Demi.

RUNNER UP JUNIOR AMBASSADOR STELLA BORELLINI

‍
Stella Borellini represented the Burdekin Academy with dedication and pride in the 2024 Burdekin Water Festival where she has been crowned as the Runner Up Junior Ambassador.

Having been a gymnast with the Burdekin Academy since she was four years old, achieving the title of Runner Up Junior Ambassador representing the Academy will be something Stella will remember and cherish forever.

“When I was announced as the Runner Up, I was really shocked, and then all the nerves and butterflies just disappeared, and I was just really proud that I achieved it,” explained Stella.

Stella was asked to become an Ambassador in July of this year and was more than excited to help to “bring back” both the festival and the treasured events.

“For me, my most memorable event was the Regis Aged Care High Tea, because it really made me feel good to see other people happy, and I just really enjoyed being there,” shared Stella.

Overall, Stella could not have had a more amazing experience as a Junior Ambassador and cannot wait to see more young members of the community become involved in such a fantastic, and treasured Burdekin event.

“It may seem scary, and hard at the start, but there’s always a bunch of good things like making new friends and enjoying such a fun experience!”

RUNNER UP SENIOR AMBASSADOR BRIELLE ASTORQUIA

Brielle Astorquia has been crowned as the Runner Up Senior Ambassador for the 2024 Burdekin Water Festival, proudly representing Nutrien Harcourts McCathies Real Estate.

Brielle’s experience as a Senior Ambassador saw her follow in the footsteps of her mum, and numerous other members of her family who had all represented various organisations in past Burdekin Water Festivals. In continuing to support her mum on her battle against a brain tumour, Brielle also saw becoming a Senior Ambassador as an opportunity to promote the work of the Charlie Teo Foundation through her fundraising efforts.

Brielle believes everyone should take the opportunity to become a Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador, explaining she was more than excited when she was asked to represent Nutrien Harcourts McCathies Real Estate.

“I have made lifelong friendships with the other Senior Ambassadors and having them as my support system was amazing as not everything is easy, like public speaking, but when we would all come together to support one another, all of our confidence levels were immediately built up,” explained Brielle.

“I’m so sad that it has come to an end, as every part of it - even the parts that some people wouldn’t find exciting - were so much fun.”

Over the course of her time as a Senior Ambassador, Brielle noticed her self-confidence continuing to increase, and treasures attending events like the Regis Aged Care High Tea.

“I felt myself and others really start to come out of our shells at the Regis Aged Care High Tea, and because of how I felt after that event, I will now say yes to a lot more opportunities.”

‍

Burdekin Water Festival Winning Senior Ambassador representing Campbell’s Jewellery, Demi O’Shea, Burdekin Water Festival Winning Junior Ambassador representing the Burdekin Academy, Cole Pontifex, Burdekin Water Festival Runner Up Junior Ambassador representing the Burdekin Academy, Stella Borellini, and Burdekin Water Festival Runner Up Senior Ambassador representing Nutrien Harcourts McCathies, Brielle Astorquia. Photo Credits to Sharon Bozzetto.

‍