Wollongong Young Citizen of the Year Madeline Bow was not able to make it to the Citzenship and Achievement Awards last Thursday.
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That means she was able to accept her award in front of 90 people who were about to become the city’s newest Australian citizens at the Wollongong Town Hall.
And the 22 year old had a message for everyone about volunteering.
- 90 people become new Australian Citizens at Wollongong Town Hall on Australia Day
- Peter Kell recognised with an Australia Day Award
- Shellharbour Citizenship Ceremony
- Sharyn Mackenzie recognised with an Australia Day Award
- Nieves Murray Wollongong Citizen of the Year
- Wollongong Citizenship and Achievement Awards Gallery
Ms Bow (Madi) was recognised for her achievements as a member of the Woonona Surf Lifesaving Club (WSLSC) for eight years.
She joined when she was 15 and since then has been involved in every aspect of surf lifesaving.
She has held the member services role in the past and most recently took on the role of director of education for 2015/16. It requires training and mentoring lifesavers so they maintain their skills to the current level expected of them. She does that in addition to working full time in law.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said she had also been proactive and diligent in encouraging members to take up development opportunities within surf life saving.
“And Madeline has coordinated social events for the club,” he said.
Cr Bradbery invited Ms Bow to speak at the Wollongong Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony where she revealed how much she loved such work in surf life saving and how it made her feel good.
She started by saying she was very honoured to be named Wollongong Young Citizen of the Year.
“To everyone who is becoming a citizen today..congratulations,” she said.
“I can vouch for this city. It is fantastic. It is heaven to live in and to be part of.”
Ms Bow said in 2015 she studied international economic law and learned some interesting things.
“The Organisation for Economic Cultural Development found that Australians give up to six minutes a day of their time to volunteering..which was one of the highest in the world,” she said.
“Furthermore they found that Australians are among the happiest people in the world. And I would like to think that there is a relationship there between volunteering and helping other people..and getting a sense of satisfaction, belonging and joy from giving the time and being part of the community. That is what I love so much about volunteering. It makes me so happy.”
Ms Bow concluded by encouraging those who have been in Wollongong for a long time and all those who have just arrived to all volunteer.
“Because to contribute to the community is one of the greatest joys we have,” she said.
“And honestly I promise you that you will get far more out of it than you ever put in.”
