Young Achiever celebrated

DISABILITY support worker, Teghan Henderson, won the CFA Volunteer Excellence Award at the recent Victorian Young Achiever Awards at Flemington.

Alongside working full time at Pinarc Disability Support, Miss Henderson volunteers through its Interchange Program, looking after two girls with special needs that she met while running Pinarc’s school holiday program.

Nine-year-old Skye lives with a rare genetic syndrome, Sanfilippo, and 12-year-old Jade has autism. Miss Henderson frequently volunteers to care for the two girls, and their individual needs, at their houses, or offers respite for their families by hosting them in her own home.

“If they come to my house, there’s my family as well. My mum, dad and three brothers,” she said.

“They get to see what I do and who I work with, and the connection that my family has with the girls is really good too.”

Miss Henderson grew up alongside relatives with disabilities, and this influenced her pathway to disability support, joining Pinarc five years ago.

“I have a cousin that’s autistic and then another one that’s in a wheelchair, so I think them being a part of our family gave me a better understanding and I wanted to help people,” she said.

The 22-year-old was shocked to receive the Volunteer Excellence Award, having been nominated by Pinarc’s CEO, Marianne Hubbard because of her positive connection to clients, her commitment and time investment.

“At the awards night, I had no idea that I was going to win. I did not expect it at all,” she said.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking getting up in front of everyone, but it was rewarding to be recognised.

“It’s great that we have programs that can do this for families, but I definitely don’t do it for the awards. I do it for the love of it.”

Many people in Ballarat with special needs are on the waiting list for the Interchange Program and Miss Henderson encourages those willing to provide respite to contact Pinarc on 5329 1398.

The Young Achiever Awards celebrate the leadership, vision, excellence and commitment of young people, up to the age of 29, in our local communities.

As part of the award Miss Henderson was presented with a trophy, $1000 into a Bank of Melbourne account and a $1000 Bartercard account from Wheelton Philanthropy and Budget Rent A Car.