Wishhasad Somawansa’s desire to help others began when he was a child, inspired by his mother.
Mr Somawansa started volunteering with the Wyndham SES about three years ago, after he attended an information night.
“I couldn’t fill in the application form soon enough,” he said.
He has also volunteered with a program called Wesley Do Care, in which younger people visit older residents who are in aged-care or have no family.
Mr Somawansa said helping people was an example set by his mother, Prasad, who was murdered last year.
“She always wanted to help people, help children with disabilities and children in need – she was a big influence on me,” he said.
The man who killed Prasad has since been sentenced to 22 years in jail.
Mr Somawansa, 22, said that although the loss of his mother had devastated him, he was keen to continue helping people – just as she would have wanted.
He is in his third year of studying medicine at university and hopes to become a neurosurgeon.
Mr Somawansa, who was named Wyndham council’s Young Volunteer of the Year in August, said SES was also like “a family”.
“No one joins up for recognition – they do it because they want to help other people,” he said.
Anyone interested in joining the SES can visit ses.vic.gov.au or call 1300 842 737.
