There’s an Art to being Illawarra’s Best Catch

UOW Arts student Joshua Parker describes himself as “kind of single”. But that might change if he can take out the title of Illawarra’s Best Catch.

Joshua has been nominated by the Faculty of Arts Student and Staff Association (FASSA) for the Illawarra’s Best Catch competition – a competition which aims to find the young male who offers most to the Illawarra community.

The competition is part of the Best Catch Australia awards, which originated in Wollongong and are designed to break down the stereotype of the Australian male aged 18-24.

The competition is described as a “celebration of male character, comradeship and community spirit”, and the Illawarra winner will be named at a black tie dinner at City Beach Function Centre on 11 October. It is also a fund-raiser, with money raised donated to a program called My Place at the Lighthouse Church which provides medium to long-term accommodation for young men aged 16-24.

Joshua, 24, is FASSA’s vice-president and also works part-time as an administrative assistant in the Faculty of Arts while completing the final year of his BA (History). In 2009 he plans to tackle a Master of International Studies degree.

He said he is honoured to be the FASSA nominee for the Best Catch awards, and looking forward to the competition.

“The program is all about dispelling negative images about young men and it’s a good opportunity to promote FASSA and the things we do,” Joshua said.

As part of the competition, Joshua must give a presentation at the dinner about an issue he is passionate about.

“My theme will be the benefits of volunteering – about the skills you can develop, and the way you can help develop skills in other people,” he said.

Joshua said his own experience with FASSA was an example of the benefits of volunteering. “Being part of FASSA helped me develop skills, and Faculty staff recognised that and offered me a job,” he said.

For more information about FASSA, visit http://clubs.uow.edu.au/websites/fassa or email fassa@clubs.uow.edu.au

For details about the Best Catch dinner on 11 October, email info@bestcatch.com.au

Last reviewed: 29 September, 2008