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Caring for community

Australian Catholic University (ACU National) Education student Adam Moedt, 20, is the 2009 Young Citizen of the Year of Mitchell Shire.

Adam, in his second year of a Bachelor of Primary Teaching degree at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s), worked as a swimming instructor at the Kilmore Leisure Centre, helping a child with disabilities learn to swim. He now helps children with behavioural problems and disabilities settle in to a number of Kilmore primary schools.

A keen cricketer and footballer, Adam also works at YMCA Connect Camps for children with behavioural problems and at Alight Camps for children with autism.
At the Connect Camps, a number of the children aged eight to 16 had extremely challenging behaviours, but he and other camp leaders tried to be role models.

“We do our best,” he said. “These young people are often rejected from normal groups and activities because of their behaviour, so it’s great to give them fresh opportunities to just be kids again, without being pigeonholed.”

Adam would eventually like to work in alternative learning settings, teaching life skills to unusual children.

As for being awarded for his community contributions, he said he was pleased to be part of a positive news story about young people, as youth were often unfairly stereotyped in negative ways. 

Through the Early Achievers Program (EAP), ACU National welcomes students of all ages like Adam who contribute to their communities.