For Northam Young Community Citizen of the Year Cameron Fernihough, his years of volunteering have been a no-brainer, something he says is easy for other youth to get involved in if they prioritise their time.
The Year 12 student has been a Northam Army Cadet, a member of the Northam Agricultural Society and a member of the Northam Volunteer Fire Brigade, all while balancing school and a part-time job.
Cameron said he doesn't see his out of school hobbies as volunteering.
"I don't really call it volunteering because I do it for my own enjoyment," he said.
"It's good to do something. It keeps you busy and out of trouble."
The comments coincide with a series of articles by the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt Advocate exploring the future of volunteering in the region.
In Northam the fortnightly farmer's markets and an outdoor cinema series were cancelled because of a lack of volunteers
Cameron, who is in his first year of seniors at the Northam Volunteer Fire Brigade said his involvement in the firies was sparked by a transition away from sport.
" I wanted to do something sporty but was getting a bit sick of playing hockey," he said.
"I'd heard about it when I was younger. It's been word of mouth really.
"With the Ag Society I entered at a young age. and mum and I wanted to get involved.
"Mum has good friends involved and that helped us get involved for the past few years."
Cameron said outside of his friends who work on their family farms and friends who are also firies, he doesn't see many other young people giving up their time.
"There probably aren't many people my age volunteering, but there could be heaps more," he said.
"People just don't want to do stuff, some can't be bothered.
"They've got their games and want to sit around on their phones.
"Back in the day the firies had running teams in every town.
"It was as big as football but now there aren't as many."
He said both groups he works with are valuable assets to the local community.
"Some people are quick to talk badly about the Northam Agricultural Show but what they don't realise is if you don't have volunteers it will go," Cameron said.
"Those people still go to the show.
"If it wasn't there, it would be gone and maybe never come back.
"It isn't hard to help. You've just got to go in and ask."
Although he isn't certain what he wants to do when he finishes school at the end of this year, Cameron said his volunteering experience can be a stand out when it comes to hiring.
"It was never a factor for me but people always say if you have volunteering down on your resume employers love it," he said.
"I don't care about that because I love it, but it's a bonus.
"It's a commitment, you've got to be committed to volunteering.
"It's like another job but it's not a big thing especially if you enjoy it."
Cameron was awarded the Community Citizen of the Year in the youth category at the Australia Day ceremony in Northam this year for his dedication to the local community.
Other nominees were Kaitlyn George and Jessica Rohrlach.
