Hornsby MP Matt Kean last week announced Cherrybrook Technology High School student Benjamin Albers as the winner of the 2013 NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Cadet of the Year.
Mr Kean said the award program, which commenced in 2009, is an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable role that young people play within the NSW emergency services.
"The NSW SES and NSW RFS cadet programs promote leadership, community service and the values of volunteering in young people across NSW," he said.
"I am pleased to announce the 2013 Cadet of the Year recipients are NSW SES cadet Benjamin Albers and NSW RFS cadet Richard Alley."
"Both Benjamin and Richard are outstanding examples of enthusiastic cadets who have devoted their time to helping protect their communities."
Benjamin, of Glenhaven, completed the cadet program with a high level of leadership and dedication. He is now a member of The Hills NSW SES Unit.
"I would like to congratulate Benjamin and Richard on their achievements and thank them for their commitment to our great volunteer emergency services," Mr Kean said.
"Through the school cadet programs, students safely learn how to deal with emergencies, be it fires, floods or other natural disasters.
"The NSW RFS cadet program commenced in 2005, with more than 5000 students participating in 329 programs since its inception.
"The NSW SES has now conducted 107 programs with 2088 students participating since its launch in 2008."
Mr Kean also thanked the teachers, cadet coordinators and volunteers who dedicate significant amounts of time to training young people in programs across the State.
"It is fitting that we celebrate the achievements of these cadets, along with those who lead them, during National Volunteers Week," he said.
NSW SES Award
Benjamin Albers, a current Year 12 student at Cherrybrook Technology High School, was the 2013 recipient of the NSW SES Cadet of the Year award.
Benjamin was a participant in a Work Experience Group (WEG) that took part in the cadet program in Term 2 of 2013. The WEG consisted of cadets from three different schools.
Benjamin was extremely enthusiastic and motivated throughout the cadet program. He demonstrated a high level of maturity and went out of his way to develop the team unity and to include everyone in activities. He was a strong leader, very conscientious and strove to learn as much as possible.
Benjamin was proactive in seeking out tasks that needed doing to support the team and the program. He also showed dedication by spending extra time researching outside of the cadet program.
Benjamin was always well presented, polite, engaging and a good representative for his school and the cadet program.
On completion of the cadet program, Benjamin immediately joined his local NSW SES Unit (The Hills Unit) to continue developing his skills, and as he said, "for a chance to put his skills into practice helping the community".
Benjamin is also a dual member of the Oakville and Glenhaven Rural Fire Service Brigades.
