Helping hands reap rewards
15 October 2009
By Rebecca Perry
Twin sisters Jessie and Ruby McBean from Kingaroy State High School with Jack Miles, a resident at the Blue Care Canowindra Nursing Home. A group of Kingaroy State High students recently won the school category in the Queensland Young Volunteer Awards.
Savvy spending and consumer-driven choices are among the hallmarks of Generation Y but at Kingaroy State High School, teenagers are learning the best things in life are free.
Sixty students in Years 11 and 12 recently won the school category in this year's Queensland Young Volunteer Awards - the latest accolade for their Active Citizens' Program.
Principal David Ballin said the program started in 2003 as a way of supporting local organisations that sometimes struggled to find volunteers.
'We now have students gaining confidence and skills by working with people in the community, and going on to join organisations when they leave school,' Mr Ballin said.
More than 20 services including Meals on Wheels, the Lions Club, St Vincent de Paul and the Show Society are eager partners in the program, making the most of the extra sets of hands while sharing skills.
'Students do a range of tasks like delivering meals during their lunch hour, spending some time each week with an elderly person or contributing to the agenda of an annual general meeting, Mr Ballin said.
'They are doing something very worthwhile.'
Year 12 student Jessie McBean has spent the past two years helping on the local Blue Care committee and occasionally making members see double, with her twin sister Ruby a fellow volunteer.
'There is a mix of older and younger people who meet once a month and help make decisions, such as sponsoring a car to help nurses visit clients,' Jessica said.
'It is good to know that we are making a difference to someone's life and I think I will keep volunteering when I leave school.
'Besides, I might need it when I'm older so I might as well help others now while I can.'
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