Sam Johnson – Young New Zealander of the Year 2012
It’s not very often I pay much attention to awards like this, but this year it caught my eye. Because Sam Johnson is the guy who decided to set up the Student Volunteer Army in Christchurch and got a whole bunch of students organised with wheelbarrows to help dig people out of the crap.
Well deserved. Not only for himself, but for all the students who stood up and got counted. And hopefully put paid to generations of complaints about how lazy students are. I think these guys really deserve all the accolades they get.
Sam Johnson of Christchurch has proved to be one of the most valuable young citizens of Christchurch and New Zealand over the past 12 months. Sam began his invaluable contribution to the community many years ago but it wasn’t until the first shocking Canterbury earthquake in September 2010 that led to Sam rallying together thousands of students forming the Student Volunteer Army that then provided invaluable assistance after the devastating February quake last year.
Utilizing social networking skills, Sam created a Facebook page that brought the students, carrying shovels and wearing gumboots, onto the streets of Christchurch to help with the earthquake cleanup. Sam then worked with local authorities coordinating the students relief effort organising teams and equipment to help cleanup those areas most affected by the quake damage. The SVA has grown to have a support base of over 26,000 people and continues to provide a student volunteering community for Christchurch, both Earthquake related and unrelated.
Sam was also able to transfer his skills to help Japan after their devastating tsunami and earthquake, where he worked with Japanese students to help them set up a similar scheme. Sam’s ability to pull together resources and lead a team of volunteers inspired glowing recommendations from across the globe and contributed to a more positive image of students.
These voluntary contributions of long sleepless nights, taxing physical labour and strategic management and liaison puts him in the league with any major CEO or national leader but in true Kiwi spirit, Sam acknowledges any gratitude with quiet humility.
Since these enormous efforts and contribution, Sam has kept to his determination to better the world, travelling to the Young Leaders International Forum in India. Here, he shared his knowledge of post disaster response to the planet’s brightest young leaders to aid in their endeavours and efforts across disaster prone areas of South & South East Asia.
BTW – the Adult category went to Richard Taylor of Weta Studios.
Related posts:
- “As One” for Christchurch
- When a $68k a year pay rise is just sick and twisted.
- Christchurch Earthquake:2 minute Silence at 12.51 1st March 2011
Comments
Tell me what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
Avalon’s Guide On Facebook
-
