Simon O’Reilly of Methven is New Zealand’s first recipient of a prestigious international St John youth award.
The Sovereign’s Award was established in 2014 to recognise outstanding achievement, in personal development and community contribution, for members of St John aged 16 to 25.
Personally signed by King Charles III, the Sovereign’s Award was presented to O’Reilly last month in Hamilton.
O’Reilly, who is in his mid 20s, is a casual and volunteer emergency medical technician with Hato Hone St John as well as a divisional manager with St John Youth in Methven division and major incident support team member.
He also works casually as a registered nurse at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha.
O’Reilly said it was special to get the award, and particularly so considering he was the first in New Zealand.
To become a candidate for the award, St John members must submit an application which can include evidence of their achievements and a portfolio of work.
In his application, O’Reilly included a podcast he created, called Kaiako Podcast.
The podcast is for leaders, by leaders in Hato Hone St John Youth NZ. It features the organisations young leaders from around the motu sharing their experiences to inspire and teach others.
‘‘Our youth leaders spend hours a week, impacting members lives and I felt I could do something to bring them some new knowledge and skills within their divisions,’’ he said.
He said his roles with St John were interesting and evolving, and no two days were the same.
‘‘They allow growth and the ability to educate others.’’
He encourages others to apply for the Sovereign’s Award.
‘‘You set the direction for yourself in life and this project helps you build that person you want to be.’’
St John Mid Canterbury group operations manager Heather Keele said she and fellow St John members were immensely proud of O’Reilly receiving the award.
‘‘For this award to go to a local lad, makes us even more proud of our region and its achievements. He will definitely be on our wall of pride for a while yet,” Keele said.
