Meg Cummins, 17, and Vivian Connor, 17, from St Mary Star of the Sea College, are among a select few from around the state to win awards for their inspirational efforts including fund-raising for disaster relief, climate change, animal welfare and dozens more community campaigns.

‘‘When we got the letter I cried,’’ said Vivian, who also credited their school for empowering them and offering full support. ‘‘We’re put here to help, and in a small way we can do that.’’

Meg said she had found a new appreciation for life after seeing firsthand how happy poverty-stricken children were in developing countries.

‘‘We as individuals can make a difference, and if we start now and influence other people it’s a way to make the world a better place,’’ she said.

The pair will continue doing their bit to ‘‘improve society and change the world’’ once their HSC ends in October. Vivian wants to eventually join humanitarian organisation Medicins Sans Frontieres, while in the immediate future Meg will volunteer at the Borneo Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in January.