DONNYBROOK woman Kiara Dawson attended the South West Young Achievers Program last week.
Ms Dawson was nominated by the Donnybrook Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank and was accepted alongside Hayley Palumbo from the Bunbury branch.
The fully residential program was held from October 31 to November 2 with a Gala Dinner held on the Saturday night at the Lighthouse Beach Resort.
There were 18 other participants from the South West, some as far as Pemberton to Pinjarra.
Ms Dawson said the days consisted of fitness, listening to motivational speakers and talks, making new friends and a lot of food.
"The program was held at the South Bunbury Football Club rooms, with the accommodation being at Koombana Bay Chalets," she said.
"When we arrived at the program on Thursday morning, we received a backpack full of goodies, one of the goodies being juggling balls.
"We were then told that we would all be able to juggle by the end of the program. I can now juggle (just) which was something that I could never do before the program.
"We were also taught that it's a good way to clear the mind and so far I've found that it has worked."
Ms Dawson said participants were fortunate enough to listen to a talk from Justin Warren from Bunbury Taekwondo, which was one of her favourite parts of the program.
"Justin represented Australia for Taekwondo and we heard all about his challenges and how he overcame them which were such a massive inspiration," she said.
"He then taught everyone how to break a pine wooden board in half with our palm which was an experience I'll never forget and never stop bragging about."
Other sessions were about financial knowledge, women in business, perception, etiquette, breaking through barriers, teamwork, values, click colours, cultural awareness and public speaking.
"The program ended on Saturday night at the Gala dinner where we were awarded with certificates of being a South West Young Achiever Participant," Ms Dawson said.
"We were lucky enough to hear an inspirational speech from Young Australian of the Year for 2013, Akrim Azumi.
"The South West Young Achievers Program was an amazing experience I'll never forget and I will be forever grateful that I was given the opportunity to participate."
