Jaden Willis received the Young Citizen of the Year award at the recent Australia Day Awards in Merredin, Western Australia.
The awards are run by Auspire, the Australia Day Council of WA, which gives local governments the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements and outstanding contributions of people who make a difference in their community.
Jaden, who has recently finished year 12 and attends Merredin Adventist church, was recognised for his leadership role at school; annually volunteering for Disabled Surfers Association South West, enabling people with a range of disabilities to experience surfing; raising money personally for Guide Dogs WA over several years; and being a councillor for the Adventist Church’s junior summer camp.
He is also a strong supporter of The Blue Tree Project, which raises awareness and promotes the importance of mental health. At school he organised a successful free-dress fundraiser for The Blue Tree Project and was also responsible for the painting of a blue tree at Merredin College.
The original version of this story was posted by the Western Australian Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
