Right: Casey Young Citizen of the Year Romy Madeley, along with Casey Young Volunteer award winner Paul Adcock, were invited to Government House last Wednesday to meet the Queen and Prince Philip.
By Bridget Cook
TWO outstanding young Casey residents were invited to get up close and personal with Queen Elizabeth II during her whirlwind Melbourne visit last week.
This year’s Casey Young Citizen of the Year Romy Madeley and Casey Young Volunteer award winner Paul Adcock were invited to Government House on Wednesday 26 October to meet the British monarch and her husband Prince Philip.
Fourteen-year-old Hampton Park girl Romy said it was an exciting experience.
She said they arrived at Government House about 11am and enjoyed some finger food before the Queen and Prince Philip arrived about 1pm.
“They came and walked through where we all were and were talking to people and shaking people’s hands,” she said.
“Apparently they were supposed to do a big circle, but were running really late. The Prince came to our side that we were on and shook the hand and spoke to the person next to me.”
Romy said she only found out about a week before the visit that she was invited to attend.
“It (the invitation) came in a big fancy envelope and the invite said ‘In the gracious presence of Her Majesty The Queen,” she said.
“It was pretty exciting.”
City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes said it was great the two youths had the opportunity to go along.
“Romy and Paul are fantastic ambassadors for the City of Casey and are shining examples of the positive contribution made by young people to the community,” she said.
Romy was awarded Casey Young Citizen of the Year for her work volunteering after school at Casey Kidz Club, as well as raising funds and taking part in Shave for a Cure.
During his VCE studies, Paul volunteered each week for two and a half years with School Stuff, a homework help program run by Youthlinx and the Hampton Park Youth Information Centre for young people in Grades 5, 6 and 7.
