Young lady of few words says thanks

MARK DWYER/Taranaki Daily News

FIRST TO VOLUNTEER: Sacred Heart Girls' College's Sian Whelan, 18, won the Community Service prize at the 2009 Young Achievers Awards.

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Sian Whelan is not one for making speeches.

When called up as the first recipient at the 2009 Young Achievers Awards at New Plymouth District Council, the 18-year-old Community Service award winner thanked the organisers and left it at that.

"It was a surprise, there's heaps of other people out there who do stuff like this as well. So I was just lucky to be nominated."

A friend from Sacred Heart Girls' College put her up for the award, because at school Sian is known for her passionate community work, for which she does not seek recognition.

Encouraged by the inspiration of her mother and her school's willingness to help out, she has donated countless hours to many areas.

This includes being road marshal for the Americarna Street Cruise, a volunteer at the Relay for Life on three occasions, a collector for the Women's Refuge Annual Appeal, and a runner for the Food Bank appeal, which she will do again on December 7.

She also helped out at the Special Children's Extravaganza, working with hundreds of youngsters.

"There was a group of us that dressed up. I was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. We just walked around, chilled with them, dancing and stuff.

"They all got a bunch of toys. We just took them through, chose their toys, and played on.

"It doesn't really feel like it's giving up my time, it's something good to do."

On Saturdays Sian works for the agency Te Hauora Pou Heretaunga, helping support a disabled woman in her 20s to go out and improve her social skills.

"It feels weird to call it a job because it doesn't feel like a job."

After finishing up school, she plans to go to Massey University in Palmerston North to do a Bachelor of Resources and Environmental Planning, with an eye to working for the Department of Conservation.

"I like working with people, but then I'm passionate for the environment as well."

And she hopes others at Sacred Heart will continue to follow her example by helping in the community.

"It makes you feel good, and also making other people's lives a bit easier. It's a good opportunity [so] take everything you can get."

- © Fairfax NZ News