A year 12 student with a heart for serving the community is making his family, his school and the local community proud.
17-year-old Trinity College student, Harlem McDermott, spends his weekends volunteering with State Emergency Service (SES) Queensland.
He joined the service following the 2022 floods and has spent much of his free time at SES training.
“After seeing the devastation of the floods it prompted me to do something to help the community,” he said.
“I joined to put a smile on people’s faces during some of the most challenging times in their lives.
“When you give someone just 10 minutes of your time, it can change their life – that’s why I love this job.”
He said he was looking forward to more volunteer work once he turned 18.
Although inspired by the impacts of the floods, Mr McDermott’s golden heart isn’t a recent development.
He has participated in the Kokoda challenge since year four, participating in the 30km, 48km and the 96km events.
Last year he mentored a group of primary students hoping to participate in the Brisbane 30km Kokoda event.
Mr McDermott is regularly involved in the Rosie’s Friends on the Street program with his school, and was described as an exemplar by his principal, Chris Raju.
“The Trinity community is extremely proud of Harlem’s generous commitment to SES Volunteering,” Mr Raju said.
“He is a true exemplar of the Marist spirit of generosity to others and outreach to the local community.”
Mr McDermott’s teacher and QFES Rural Fire Service volunteer, Paul Gardner, said it was “great to see these young people stepping up to inspire the next generation of volunteers”.
This week Mr McDermott will be recognised by his school as a hero as part of National Volunteer Week.
