Cowra High School's Luke Bryant (centre) enjoys his philanthropy
Cowra High School's Luke Bryant is a real philanthropist; the year 12 student has clocked up more than 80 hours of volunteering.
He has been honoured with an award in the Premier's Student Volunteering Program that he received last week at The Henry Lawson High School, Grenfell.
Luke said he owed the honour to his teacher Ken Muhling.
"Mr Muhling put me onto it," he said. "Probably wouldn't have got it without him."
Luke has been involved in the Rural Fire Service since year 9 when he first joined the cadet program.
After that, he continued his association with the RFS by joining the Waugoola Rural Fire Brigade.
Science teacher at Cowra High School and mentor Ken Muhling said Luke has put in far more hours than he has logged and deserves every credit.
"I'm sure that if the 'Black Opal Award' was available when Luke was logging his hours as a volunteer, he would have easily surpassed the limit easily," he said.
"He is well deserving of the awards he receives."
Luke has helped the RFS in dealing with motor vehicle accidents, house fires, grass fires, flood and storm situations and other extreme difficulties.
He said the RFS was something he genuinely enjoyed doing.
"It's something community based and it's good to get involved," Luke said. "It's become a bit like a second home to me."
He has also been involved in fund raising ventures for the RFS, Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal and the Relay for Life.
Mr Muhling said Luke was a true inspiration. "Luke's a great role model for the other kids," he said. "I'm extremely proud of him."
