BY DI SNEDDON
Singleton’s Young Achiever of the Year Liam Byrne was nominated for the honour by not one, but two separate groups.
The point was made by Singleton Australia Day Committee chairperson Danny Thompson when Mayor Sue Moore presented Liam with his award.
“Sadly, last year we did not have any nominees for Young Achiever because the kids couldn’t go out and do anything but this young man gives me plenty of faith in the future that there are young people out there doing wonderful things,” Liam said.
As a young man with a great sense of community, Liam strives to make a difference to improve other people’s wellbeing through his thoughtful, diligent and caring nature.
He is keenly aware of the needs of those less fortunate and the groups who rely on community donations to exist, and is an active volunteer with strong connections to his chosen charities of Singleton Legacy and Dolly’s Charity Shop.
Each year, Liam plans and structures his spare time after school and work commitments to raise funds for Singleton Legacy Group, collecting donations and selling merchandise in support of the Singleton and District war widows and their families.
Liam said he was overwhelmed with gratitude by the honour and said he had his family to thank.
“I am from a military family and it has been instilled in me that people need a hand up, not a hand out and I understand the importance of mental health, this is an award I am humbled to receive,” Liam said.
Liam’s grandfather, Gary Holland, was the 2020 recipient of Singleton Citizen of the Year but Liam jokingly said, “Don’t hold that against me”.
It appears the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
