With his dedication to volunteer work, community awareness and altruistic goals, many people would deem Simon Reid a catch.And it seems the Illawarra agrees, because the University of Wollongong student was pronounced the region's Best Catch on Saturday night, when he took time out from his busy schedule to collect his trophy at City Beach Function Centre.The contest, organised by Best Catch Foundation, recognises young men aged 18 to 24 who volunteer, display qualities of integrity, respect and a commitment to their community. Mr Reid has just completed a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Wollongong and will study medicine at the University of Sydney next year, hoping one day to become a paediatrician.He is also president of the Student Health Alliance for Rural Populations at UOW, which aims to provide students with positive rural experiences in the hope of improving health care in remote and rural areas.Another voluntary project Mr Reid is involved with is the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Program, which helps to mentor and develop life skills of indigenous high school students.In his spare time, the 21-year-old can be found at Towradgi Beach, where he works as a surf lifesaver.Mr Reid said voluntary work was an integral part of his life."Once you start, it's almost addictive," he said."You see what a change you can have on people's lives."Mr Reid said he hoped speaking about his work would encourage more men to volunteer."There's such a small percentage of men who volunteer so I think it's really important to be a spokesman and a role model," he said."It's really great to empower young guys - and anyone really."
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