Some people just make every room a little brighter. For anyone who’s been served by Steph Duric at the bar over the past three years, her latest accolade of being awarded 2026 Sutherland Shire Young Citizen of the Year won’t come as a surprise.
At just 22 years of age, she’s already achieved more than most people do in a decade. In addition to her local Australia Day honours, she has graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work with Distinction at the University of Wollongong, completed over a thousand hours of volunteer placement, representing headspace Miranda at a national forum in Brisbane, along with starring in multiple local musical theatre productions.
There are so many amazing young employees at the club who continue to make a difference in the community. We sat down with Steph to hear her story and find out what keeps her smiling behind the bar here at Engadine Bowling Club.
How long have you been working at the club, and what first brought you here?
I’ve been working at Engadine Bowling Club for almost three years. I’m an Engadine local and have been coming to the club with my family my whole life. I was looking for a job I could do while studying full-time at University, so I applied. I was 19 when I got the job and I’ve just turned 22. I feel like I’ve grown so much while working here and met so many amazing people in the process.
What do you enjoy most about working at the club?
I always have fun at work. My work friends have become my best friends, and it’s such a joy and privilege to look forward to coming in because I know I’ll be surrounded by people I love. Getting to know our regular members and the different guests who come through is such a fun and unique experience. I love having a laugh with the patrons and making sure everyone leaves feeling a little brighter and happier than when they arrived.
How would you describe the atmosphere at the club to someone who’s never visited?
The environment at Engadine Bowling Club is one of a kind. It’s fun and laid back, but still to a high standard. It’s friendly and welcoming – sometimes it’s quiet, other times it’s buzzing, but it’s great all the time. I love coming in, even on my days off.
Any standout memories from your time here?
As stressful as it can be, some of my favourite memories are from the Easter and Christmas raffles. There’s always an extra sense of cheer around the holidays, and I love being at the raffle table spreading joy with my friends Aly and Katey.
You were recently named Sutherland Shire Council’s 2026 Young Citizen of the Year. What does that mean to you?
Receiving this award is such a privilege. It’s a testament to all the hard work I’ve put into volunteering and community work, and I’m so proud to have been acknowledged in such a meaningful way. I can’t wait to keep doing what I love.
Can you tell us about your volunteer work with headspace?
At headspace Miranda, I’m part of the Youth Reference Group. This year marks my fifth year in the YRG! My role involves monthly meetings with the team, facilitating workshops in local high schools, attending mental health expos and wellbeing days at schools and hospitals, running stalls at community fairs, and attending events like the annual White Ribbon March. We also work on a special project each year, which is always a lot of fun.
What inspired you to get involved, and what keeps you going?
A friend recommended I apply straight out of high school, and since I’d always been passionate about mental health and youth advocacy, I went for it, and here I am. I’ve made wonderful friends through the YRG and been given some incredible opportunities, but ultimately it’s my passion for working alongside vulnerable people and making a meaningful difference that keeps me motivated.
Any particularly memorable experiences from your volunteering?
The standout moment was being selected to represent headspace Miranda at the National Headspace Forum in Brisbane. I got to meet people from headspace centres all over the country, take part in workshops and conferences, hear from incredible speakers and learn so many new skills. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
You’ve just finished your degree, what did you study?
I studied a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Wollongong and graduated with Distinction.
What was the most challenging part?
As part of the four-year degree, I had to complete one thousand hours of unpaid placement across two years. That meant for five months straight in both 2024 and 2025, I was working for free every day. It meant balancing double shifts, seven days a week, alongside the emotionally demanding work of being a social work student in a homeless refuge and then a disability centre for children with severe and profound disabilities. On top of that, there were essays, readings and reports that never seemed to end. But I got through it, and I’m so grateful to my manager Andrew and all the staff and patrons here at the club for supporting me and accommodating my limited availability during that time.
You’re also involved in musical theatre, tell us about that!
I am involved in the Engadine Musical Society. I’ve been performing my whole life and absolutely love it. I’ve worked as an assistant choreographer on Spongebob the Musical (Youth Edition) and starred in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Seussical the Musical, and Footloose. I’ll be making my stage crew debut this May, working behind the scenes on Les Misérables!
What do you love about community theatre?
The people! I love making new friends each show and returning to perform with old ones – it’s such a wonderful feeling. So much work goes into community theatre productions and it’s truly inspiring to be part of it.
What is one musical everyone should see?
That’s a tough one. The first professional shows I saw as a little girl were Mary Poppins and Hairspray, so they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. I love West Side Story, Hamilton and Chicago. But the musical that means the most to me is Wicked. A reimagining of a familiar story, a tale of friendship, heartbreak and magic… incredible storytelling with the most wonderful score.
We are immensely proud of Steph and her achievements. In just three years at the club, she’s become the kind of person our regulars look forward to seeing, our team leans on, and our community can genuinely look up to. We can’t wait to watch what she does next, and we have a feeling the broader community across the Sutherland Shire will be watching too.
📍 Come and see us at Engadine Bowling Club, Engadine NSW – open 7 days. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming raffles, functions, and live entertainment. And if you spot Steph behind the bar, be sure to say congratulations.
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