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 Sienna Arena-Milne of Northholm Grammar School in Arcadia with a Youth Community Service Award for exceptional service or engagement with their local community, or to Australia in general.
Sienna was one of 26 students who participated in an investiture presentation with the Governor on Thursday 7 September. Award recipients also received a trophy and certificate of commendation from the Governor.
Conducted by the Order of Australia Association (NSW) Branch, students across the state were nominated by their school principal as being exemplary community role models before a selection panel determined the final Award recipients.
Service ranges from local initiatives such as education, health, and welfare for disadvantaged or underprivileged communities, to international initiatives in a host of community development activities such as education, health, sanitation, and infrastructure projects. The Award is not for academic or sporting achievements.
NSW Awards Local High School Students for Exceptional Service
Sienna’s citation read;
“Sienna Arena-Milne holds the position of Senior Prefect at Northholm Grammar School. She has made an extraordinary commitment to service in the local community. As a Year 11 student, assisted by her Year 11 peers and the Northholm Grammar community, Sienna coordinated a series of fundraising events in support of Camp Quality, raising over $40 000.
She organised and led several significant fund-raising activities with and within the school community, including a Bunnings BBQ, Puppet Show, and the Masquerade Dinner, which engaged over 200 people from the Northholm community, local businesses, and Camp Quality.
The dinner culminated with the announcement that $37,000 had been raised, which was quickly increased by donations to over $40,000. She has shown high academic performance and contributes as a leader in the school’s Co-Curricular Program.
Sienna is currently working towards her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and is both a Prefect and Chair of the SRC. She has actively strived to build community spirit, encouraging her peers to become actively engaged with their community.”
