Mother and daughter team take top honours in Australia Day awards!
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Posted on July 6, 2023
Anakie’s dynamic duo Amber and Tania Paulson make it their mission to put breakfast into hungry young bellies and light inspirational sparks in the hearts of everyone they meet.
In 2022, Amber and Tania secured enough sponsorship to deliver a breakfast club at Anakie State School five days a week. Using locally donated milk and grant money to purchase breakfast supplies, they turned the breakfast club program into a smash hit.
Tania, president of the Anakie State School P&C and member of the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Reference Group is a passionate advocate for the Sapphire Gemfields community.
‘I’ve lived here for 24 years, and I can’t think of a better place to live,’ she said.
When Tania’s daughter Amber moved on to high school in 2023, Tania continued volunteering at Anakie State School operating the breakfast club.
One of Tania’s proudest achievements, alongside her impressive breakfast club and P&C commitments, was the surprise and shock she felt when learning of her Australia Day award nomination and subsequent award win for citizen of the year.
‘Life is hard, people face so many challenges, and if I can help someone and change their day, I feel rewarded,’ she said.
‘I was honoured to be amongst such a talented and amazing group of nominees [at the Australia Day Awards ceremony],’ she continued.
‘I felt proud to be recognised for my volunteering, and I hope that I can inspire others to do the same.’
Tania’s selfless dedication to her community has clearly rubbed off on Amber, who won the young citizen of the year award on Australia Day.
Amber says her favourite thing about volunteering is seeing other people’s joy and appreciation for something she has done to help them.
Now in Year 7 at Emerald State High School under a scholarship, Amber has taken on a new initiative organising a ‘Winter Warm-up’ donation drive to provide vulnerable people in her community with essential winter supplies.
‘If everyone could help someone in need, the world would be a much nicer place with much less suffering,’ she said.
Amber is a passionate advocate for volunteerism and wants everyone around her to know how fulfilling the work is.
Amber’s ultimate career goal is to become Prime Minister of Australia!
Both of these amazing volunteers are true ‘gems’ in their community and their win at the Australia Day Awards proves how little initiatives can really take off.
If you know of someone who is inspiring others to be their best or help their community, consider nominating them for 2024’s Australia Day awards here ???? chrc.info/AusDay