Category: Young Person (Under 25)
Recipient: Michael Freeman
Nominated By: Scout Association of Australia ACT Branch
Michael is the youngest of six children and has been an enthusiastic volunteer since his early school years volunteering for St Vincent De Paul Doorknock Collector, a Youth Group Coordinator at St Jude’s Parish in Holder and a Reading Tutor at St Edmonds College.
In 2005 he was given the Queen’s Scout Award for his high achievement in scouting as a youth member, last year he commenced his training as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader and was jointly awarded the Jack Deeble Memorial Scholarship and traveled to Kandersteg in Switzerland to the International Scout Centre to further his knowledge of World Scouting.
Michael has just completed a contract with ComCare and has put his employment prospects on hold while he travels again to the International Scout Centre to work as a volunteer staff leader for 4 months.
He organised 42 youth and adults who volunteered to travel to the Solomon Islands to rebuild a Red Cross School. Until recently, the school was the only facility on the islands for disabled children. As Team Manager for the project, Michael oversaw and coordinated the program logistics over the two week period, including transport, accommodation and food for some 42 people and was responsible for a budget of $100,000 and the team’s health and safety.
In January 2008, as a member of the ceremonies and presentation team for the “Agents of Change” Cuboree, Michael performed on stage, constructed and tested props, attended many rehearsals, assisted leaders, worked with youth members on stage as well as being actively involved in the presentation meetings before the event.
Michael is an open and generous person and is always first to volunteer his assistance regardless of the task. He is a great team player and outcome oriented in his approach. Michael inspires others to achieve not by making his efforts look superb but by making things happen as planned.