Hi everyone, I might as well tell you this before Greg puts it in the Vollie News.

I went on duty because there was some Australia Day thing going on at Lakeview Hall and Greg and Lee were short of people. Thinking it was an ordinary public duty, I sat down just before it started so I could read the paper. Barbra hid the bit with the Australia Day stuff in it (unfortunately I was going to read that bit!) from me and didn’t tell me what was going on.

I had doubts I was going to get anything important, so I just sat back and did nothing. Well wasn’t I wrong!

Just after they finished the official part of Australia Day (the flag raising) they announced the awards for achievement, student citizens, sportsman/woman of the year as well as senior and young citizen of the year. What surprised me the most, and made me cry a lot afterwards, was when I became the Litchfield Council Young Citizen of The Year.

Before they presented me the award, they gave a speech about my achievements (that either Greg or Dad told them when I was nominated) I have had over the year. They talked about:

• how I was a respected Cadet at the Mindil Beach markets
• the duties I’ve been to and how I contributed over 200 hours last year
• becoming a senior cadet
• winning the Lions Club community service award
• wanting to get my coxswains ticket which will allow me to operate a boat up to 12m in length in a commercial situation, and
• completing the NCO training.

There was a lot more they talked about with regards to me as a volunteer in St John but I couldn’t remember what they said. That was a good surprise, but as I always say to myself, "looking forward to more duties to come".

It was scarier than last year’s competition but it was ok. Won’t be forgetting it in a hurry, that’s for sure.

Article by 
Hayley Cockman
Cadet - Humpty Doo Divison