Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales – as Patron of The Order of Australia Association NSW Branch – has presented Galston High School student George Stepanovich with the Youth Community Service Award for exceptional service or engagement with their local community, or to Australia in general.
George was one of only 25 students in Australia to be presented the award (via Zoom) by the Governor on Thursday 23rd September.
Highlights of George’s Citation include:
“George Stepanovich has been an enthusiastic student leader at Galston High School since Year 7. As school captain, George encourages younger students to get involved in activities that contribute to the spirit of our school. Younger students seek guidance from George due to his honesty, integrity and approachability.
“George has been a member of the St Albans Rural Fire Brigade since he was 12, initially just assisting in general community activities, to now where he is an integral team member of his local brigade. George has been the Cadet Captain at St Alban’s RFS since 2014.
George works with the youth in the community, encouraging their involvement and joining the local brigade to build resilience and confidence. These younger cadets consider George a great mentor.
“In November and December 2019, as Year 10 students were getting ready to celebrate the end of their junior school years, George was heavily involved with the Gospels Fire.
“In 2021, when floods hit George’s local and surrounding community, he again supported his community as a part of the operations during the floods and continues with clean up of the Wisemans Ferry, St Albans and Webb’s Creek district.
“In 2021 George received a citation from the Premier of NSW for his services to his community.
“George is an impressive young man with enormous capacity to give of himself, consistently making a significant contribution to the school and wider community.”
