Kelly Hicks alongside her friendly horse Rhynestone. Kelly is an active member within the Cardinia community and her work with the Pakenham Upper CFA is vital to the area.
By Callan Date
WHEN the sirens ring at the Pakenham Upper Fire Brigade you would forgive Kelly Hicks if she were unable to attend to the emergency call.
The 21yearold Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer has such a busy schedule that it is hard to fathom how she dedicates so much time to the vital community organisation, but she manages to do it all and with a friendly smile on her face.
Kelly appeared in the Gazette back in January 2002 after returning from fighting the wild fires that devastated large areas of the NSW bushland.
Since then, the Pakenham Upper resident has continued to be an active member of the community and was awarded the prestigious Cardinia Young Citizen of the Year award in January this year.
“When I first received the honour I didn’t think it was such a big award but I soon realised how big it was when total strangers would congratulate me on what I had done. I am just thrilled that the youth of this area are being recognised and I am really trying to encourage more young people to get involved in volunteering activities,” Kelly said.
Kelly is studying psychology at RMIT University in Melbourne and is in her second year of the threeyear course that will see her graduate with a social science degree. “I don’t really know what I want to do when I finish, but I have a few options open which I will look into.”
For now, Kelly is focusing on her university studies along with volunteering at the Pakenham Upper CFA and the four casual jobs she somehow manages to fit in. Along with her work at the local service station and a cleaning job at the St John of God Hospital in Berwick, Kelly finds time to work as a nanny and also help care for a young disabled boy.
“I really enjoy working all four jobs and I learn something different from each one.”
She also has a passion for her CFA volunteering and has been involved in the organisation for the last nine years of her life.
“I am currently the communications officer for the Pakenham Upper CFA and that involves attending brigade management meetings as well as checking all the communication equipment that we use.”
Kelly started her involvement in the CFA as a 12yearold in the athletic competitions for the Nar Nar Goon brigade and spent four years there, before moving to the Pakenham Upper CFA.
The Hicks name is famous within local CFA circles with Kelly’s parents, Steve and Lisa Hicks dedicating more than 25 years of service to the organisation.
Younger brothers, Michael, 20 and Phillip, 18 are both involved at the Pakenham Upper brigade while Kelly’s boyfriend volunteers his time as well, insuring there is rarely anyone home when there is a fire or emergency in the region.
Kelly talks fondly of her love for the area she has grown up in and believes the community aspect of the town makes it such a great place to live.
“I love being part of this community and I would only encourage any other young people to get involved in their local communities as it can be a really rewarding experience.”
