HORSHAM'S Young Citizen of the Year Philadelphia Rowe says her nomination came as a complete surprise.
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"It was a surprise when I got the phone call and found out I had been nominated. I really wasn't expecting it," she said.
Since 2010, the Quantong-raised 18-year-old has built an impressive resume of work with the region's volunteer organisations.
Some of her work includes, but is not limited to, volunteering for Clean Up Australia Day, participating in ANZAC Day marches, helping out a Horsham Vinnies and operating a mentorship program with Girl Guides.
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Ms Rowe said her volunteering life began when she joined Girl Guides.
"If it wasn't a part of Girl Guides I would not volunteer as much as I do," she said.
"There have been opportunities that have come up, my school does Meals on Wheels, and Girl Guides do Bunnings Barbecues."
Her volunteer work has also earned her an equally-impressive amount of awards and honours, including the Queens Guide Award - Girl Guides Australia's highest award.
Ms Rowe said she was driven by helping others who were less fortunate, and encouraged anyone to try volunteering.
"You don't get paid, so it has a different feeling to a job. It doesn't feel like work at all," she said.
"You are just helping people and enjoying what you do. Meeting new people and learning new skills.
"It feels good to do something for others and not get paid to do it.
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"To volunteer and help people. It gives people a better chance at life. There are people who live in other countries who don't have food or can't afford anything.
"Through working at Vinnies, I am not getting paid because that money is going elsewhere to help other people who need it."
After graduating from St Brigid's College in 2021, Ms Rowe looks to pursue a career in animation.
She has enrolled herself in an animation course at Melbourne's SAE Creative Institute and hopes to go on to either Disney or Pixar.
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