By Esther Lauaki
The promise of pizza attracted Hoppers Crossing’s Daniel Barry to his first Lions Club meeting — but he became hooked on community service quickly afterwards.
He now advocates for young people by volunteering on the Wyndham Youth Council Committee, the Hobsons Bay Leo Club, and is a first responder for St John Ambulance Victoria.
The 25 year-old is one of four of Wyndham’s high flyers vying for a state Young Achievers Award.
Daniel is up for the Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award, which recognises young people serving their communities through social enterprise and volunteering.
“I’ve always wanted to do something very outside my comfort zone and I wanted to be more of a well rounded person by volunteering for my community,” he said.
“My volunteer work with the Leo Club of Hobsons Bay requires me to attend fortnightly meetings to organise community fundraisers and projects.
“As a first responder with St John Ambulance Victoria my job is to treat ill or injured members of the public at public events, spanning from AFL games to large community gatherings.
“I was chosen to serve on the Wyndham Youth Council Committee… to discuss youth policy and create the 2020 Wyndham Youth Plan.”
Outside of his volunteering roles, Daniel conducts malaria research for Melbourne University.
“It would mean a lot for me to be recognised as a young achiever so that I can show other young people what they can do for their community and what volunteer roles are out there for them,” he said.
“If one young person could see me and think, ‘I might like to volunteer in my community too’ that would be great.”
The Young Achiever Awards acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements of all young people in Victoria up to 29 years of age.
