Where there's smoke there's Ash: student's burning desire to help his community
Published Date: 20 Jan 2016
Summary
FROM fighting fires with three different Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades to managing the Orange High School show, Ash Morrow has had a busy year dedicating his time to the community.
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By Alexandra King
Ash has been nominated for his commitment to the community for the young citizen of the year for Orange’s Australia Day awards.
FIRED UP: Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighter Ash Morrow has been nominated for Orange’s Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year award. Photo: STEVE GOSCH
His commitment to the school began in 2013, when after trying out a school-based apprenticeship in heavy vehicle mechanics he decided he wanted a tertiary education and returned to full-time schooling.
To involve himself in the school community, he began to offer his time helping his teachers co-ordinate the Orange High School show, which led to him taking over the stage manager role for the show for two years, which included planning and managing several sections, including 300 performers, and helping with much of the light and visual
He also co-ordinated OHS’s drum corps, training younger students and preparing them for events like the Anzac march for two years.
Now he has finished school, graduating in 2015, Ash volunteers between two and 20 hours a week with the RFS, depending on training and any fires or motor vehicle accidents he has been called out to.
He is a member of the Tallwood, Blayney and North West Orange brigades, and said it was important to volunteer with community organisations.
“It’s about giving back to the community, about having a sense of belonging in the community,” he said
“In today’s time, with society being so busy, there’s not enough time to reflect back onto what we’ve got.”
Ash said it was a surprise to be nominated but said it was motivation to continue his passions.
An independent panel will judge the nominations for Orange’s Australia Day awards, which also include young citizen of the year, community group of the year and community event of the year.
Award winners will be announced at a ceremony at Cook Park on January 26.
