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    Bart Turgoose is Horsham Rural City Council's young citizen of the year for 2021.

Bart Turgoose ‘quite chuffed’ with Horsham citizen award

Horsham’s young citizen of the year Bart Turgoose was ‘quite chuffed’ to learn of his latest accolade. 

“I haven’t got an award like this before and I wasn’t expecting it, to be completely honest,” he said.

“It was a nice surprise after working quite hard throughout 2020. It’s a nice way to start 2021.”

At 16, Bart has accomplished more than some will achieve in a lifetime. 



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His entry into volunteerism started in 2018 when, at age 13, he needed some volunteer hours to complete his Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.

What started as an hour a week quickly progressed into regular volunteer roles at a long list of events, including Horsham Show, New Year’s Eve by the River and Irish and German festivals. 

Bart has also used his social media and photography skills to benefit the agricultural society on several projects.

He has completed both bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and started his gold award last year. 

He is also completing a Certificate III in Business, undertaking a school-based traineeship with the agricultural society while entering year 11 at Horsham College.

Bart has a strong mind for business, having developed his own – Worm King – aged seven, selling worms from his front gate.

He also sits on the board of Business Horsham and works for the organisation part-time. 

A young entrepreneur, he went on to found an educational blog, Bart’s Clay Target Adventures, last year and is developing a program called Young Guns to encourage young people to join the sport.

“I started Bart’s Clay Target Adventures because I wanted to show the funny side of the sport and everything we do and are involved in,” he said.

Bart is a Natimuk Field and Game committee member, attends working bees and sells merchandise at competitions.

He is a strong advocate of the sport, is sponsored by Sporting Shooters Association of Australia and is coached by world number-one shooter Robert Hall.

“Basically, it all started because I wanted to find a sport I could do – I wasn’t very sporty and I wanted to find something I could have a go at and help others to do, that was also a social outing,” he said. 

“Now I shoot every weekend and if I can fit it in, during the week as well.”

Bart has his sights set on joining Victoria Police after he graduates high school.

“I want to do that more than anything,” he said. 

“It’s just another way to help people. I also like the social side of policing, they are always out and about in the community talking to people.”

Bart encouraged young people to make the most of opportunities to help others.

“There’s plenty of opportunities everywhere you go. People are always looking for volunteers – sometimes there is even paid work,” he said.

“If you find something you enjoy and are passionate about then it’s less like work and you get more out of it.” 

RELATED: Horsham Australia Day citizens of the year honoured for willingness to help

The entire January 20, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!