Steffi honoured for helping others
Stawell’s Steffi Patience won recognition for her dedication to helping others at 2018 Victorian Young Achievers Awards in Melbourne.
Ms Patience, 24, was awarded the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria Regional and Rural Health Award.
The award celebrates young people in rural or regional areas who are dedicated to enhancing health services in their community.
Ms Patience, who went with her mum to the event, said she was shocked to receive the award.
“My category had four people in it. After reading the other three nominees’ biographies and learning about the incredible work they do I thought one of them was bound to get it,” she said.
“I was pleasantly surprised, expecting it at all.”
Ms Patience volunteers with Survivors of Suicide. She has volunteered with Wellbeing Wendouree, and has been a mentor for L.A.R.F through the Salvation Army and in the Mates Mentoring program.
“Something that really stood out in my nomination was that while I was volunteering I was actually homeless, but I was still committed to volunteering,” Ms Patience said.
“Thankfully nothing bad happened while I was homeless. I was lucky enough to only take away life lessons and positive experiences from my time on the streets.”
Upbringing, homelessness, volunteering and study have all contributed to Ms Patience’s dedication to volunteering and helping disadvantaged youths.
“I just fell in love with it – there I was not is something really gratifying about helping people,” she said.
“I always stop to think what would I have wanted and needed when I was in trouble, then I try to be that person for someone else.
“I’ve had post-traumatic stress disorder since I was little, suffered from some anxiety and some rough patches at home meant I stopped going to school in grade four.
“A lot of the stuff I have learnt has come from my nan and uncle.
“My nan is pretty smart, my love for reading came from her, and my grammar skills.”
Three years ago Ms Patience moved back to Stawell and completed her Certificate III in Professional Writing and Editing.
She also published a book, The Unexpected, at the age of 23.
She is currently studying her Certificate III in Mental Health and then hopes to complete her Certificate III in Youth Work.
These certificates will prepare her to undertake a Diploma of Community Services at university.
Ms Patience said she was unsure what she would do once she had her certificates and qualifications.
“Originally I thought it would be cool to became a school counsellor but volunteering has opened my eyes to mental health issues and grievance counselling,” she said.
“At the moment I know I want to help people.”