LDS member honored as 'Role Model' in Australia

BRISBANE, Australia — Jennifer McGregor, a member of  the Camira Ward, has been nominated in the Role Model category of this year's Pride of Australia Awards for Queensland. Years spent as a community volunteer, example of life and belief in youth has earned her this nomination.

McGregor is the operations co-ordinator of the Brisbane Montessori School during the day and spends off hours training and mentoring the St John Ambulance cadets.  The Bellbird Park Division officer has spent the past 16 years with youth.

"I believe the youth are our future,"  McGregor said. "I grew up on a farm where you learned practical skills, watched the sunsets, learned to dodge snakes, cook for shearers and many other practical skills." Today's youth need to learn these kinds of skills, for life's future experiences.

Much of McGregor's time is spent with juniors between the years of eight and eleven, and cadets from eleven to eighteen years of age.  Many of the young people over the years have had and do have parents who both work and spend much time alone.

The youth participate in a badge program focusing on community service and safety.  The focus is a bit different from the Scouts and Guides who learn mostly camping and outdoor skills.  The first aid certificate they earn as a cadet achieves a large part of the community service focus. With an adult present, the cadets attend and participate at public duties involving children who are involved in pony clubs, netball tournaments, and little athletics. They gain hands on experience when they provide first-aid to the level of their training.

McGregor has been working with the youth since she signed up her 11 year old stepson in 1993 and became a "parent helper."