For Boroondara local Henry Shirrefs, volunteering is a way of connecting with his community.
Henry was named Boroondara Young Citizen of the Year 2024 at our Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony on 26 January.
“Volunteering has opened connections with groups and people who share the same passion,” he says. “Standing before an assembly hall or a room full of people keen to take action is an incredible feeling.”
Henry was awarded for his exceptional leadership and volunteer efforts, at school and in our community.
Camberwell Grammar’s Environment and Sustainability Prefect in 2023, Henry aims to bring attention to issues faced by people across the community. He has led initiatives in sustainability and environment, creating an inter-school collaboration. He increased mental health awareness at his school and helped raise $47,912 over 3 years for Lifeline.
Henry says there’s nothing stopping other young people in Boroondara from getting out there and bringing their ideas to life.
“Your vision, passion and unique perspective have the potential to make a real difference,” he says. “Don't underestimate the impact of individual actions – even the smallest ideas can lead to significant positive change.”
‘It's like my job’
For Brenton Ponza, 25, volunteering in the community is something he loves to do.
Brenton was named Boroondara Citizen of the Year and celebrated for his contribution to our community, particularly with GoZone Gymnastics. GoZone gives children with physical or intellectual disabilities the opportunity to do gymnastics.
A local volunteer, athlete and fundraiser, Brenton has cerebral palsy. He joined the GoZone program when he was 8 and is now a volunteer coach and passionate disability advocate. His GoZone role allows him to champion diversity in sport and show others that life holds no limits.
“Volunteering is important to me because it's like my job. I get to help in the community since my disability makes it hard for me to find work and have employment opportunities,” says Brenton.
“When I was younger, I went to special needs gymnastics and this helped me lots. Now I am helping the group that helped me, I am [giving] back to my community.”
Aiming to spread awareness and raise much-needed funds, Brenton is also an adviser for the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre. He works to highlight how cerebral palsy can affect individuals, and advocates for changes that can be made at a local and national level.
At the presentation ceremony, Brenton encouraged others thinking of volunteering to ‘just do it’.
“People with a disability should give it a go. Try new things and give it a go because if you do not give it a go, you will never know what it is like,” he says.
Brenton will continue in his volunteer roles with the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre, Gymnastics Victoria and Cerebral Palsy Achieve. He also hopes to start a blog about accessibility in the community.
“I hope to continue being part [of a] community where people with a disability are more accepted and given the opportunity for paid work,” Brenton says.
Recognising community contribution
Held annually at Hawthorn Arts Centre, the Boroondara Citizen of the Year Awards recognise people who have made an exceptional contribution to our community through leadership or commitment to improving the lives of others.
Nominations for the 2025 Boroondara Citizen of the Year Awards will open in September. Find out more at our Citizen of the Year awards page.