ALEXANDRA Hills State High School student Breony Dowling is Queensland's Order of Australia Association's Student Citizenship Award winner for 2008.
Breony was presented with her award recently at Parliament House by the new Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley.
The Student Citizenship Awards for Year 11 and 12 recognise students for their community service and remind us all of the significant level of volunteering undertaken by young Australians.
Alexandra Hills State High School nominated Breony, one of this year's school captains, based on her highly impressive contribution to all levels of the community.
The school said not only did Breony excel as a student, she was a superb role model demonstrating active participation in an amazing array of activities.
At school, she is an Executive Member of the Student Council and has driven fundraising for school projects and initiatives.
As a member of the school's International Club, she has welcomed and introduced international students to the school community as well as hosting exchange students.
Her commitment to the Alexandra Hills State High School German Club has seen her tutoring junior students and those attending local primary schools after school hours.
Breony won the prestigious German Consulate Prize in 2007.
She has also volunteered and led primary school students through practical science activities during Alex Hills SHS's Science Week.
Breony's commitment to citizenship reaches beyond her school community.
She is involved in a number of local community projects, such as presiding over a group of senior student volunteers at the Nandeebie Blue Care Nursing Home in addition to supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Foundation, the local branch of the RSPCA and St Vincent de Paul and Lifeline - in particular, the Lifeline Refugee Suicide Forum, which is an initiative of Youth Without Borders.
YWB has led to involvement on a global scale, firstly with raising money for projects such as mobile libraries for children in Indonesia.
Breony participated in the 2007 Amnesty International Australia Activate School's conference and as a consequence established an Amnesty International Club at Alexandra Hills.
Her willingness to be involved in world affairs while still keeping focussed on high achievement in school led to her being awarded the Australian Defence Force Leadership Award in 2007.
On a state level, Breony has shown an astute awareness of social justice.
She was elected as the Member for Chatsworth in the 2008 Queensland YMCA Youth Parliament with the portfolio of Indigenous, Multicultural and Community Affairs.
Furthermore, she is currently a supporter of the Whale Sanctuary Campaign.
All this, plus the usual fund-raising for numerous charities, mentoring younger students, public speaking, enthusiastic participation in academic, sport and cultural activities, is why this exemplary young woman indeed epitomises these awards.
Congratulations, Breony.
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