Sean Xiao’s list of accolades continues to grow

Having moved to Alice Springs from one of the largest provinces in China almost a decade ago, Sean Xiao has wholeheartedly embraced his new home, taking advantage of every opportunity to get involved in the local community.

Sean Xiao is a Finalist in the NT Government Excellence in Youth Leadership Award in the NT Young Achiever Awards. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

AS the 2020 Young Centralian of the Year, Sean Xiao is no stranger to awards.

Having moved to Alice Springs from one of the largest provinces in China almost a decade ago, the 17-year-old has wholeheartedly embraced his new home, taking advantage of every opportunity to get involved in the local community.

Currently completing his final year at Centralian Senior College, Mr Xiao helped plan the first Alice Springs Government School Student Leadership Forum and in 2019 acted as the Southern Vice Chair of the NT Youth Round Table, as well as receiving the NT Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

Clearly not one to rest on his laurels, he has also been selected as one of only two 2020 NT Youth Week Ambassadors, and will fly to Darwin next month as a NT Government Excellence in Youth Leadership Award Finalist as part of the NT Young Achiever Awards.

“I’m really excited,” Mr Xiao said of the nomination.

“Just even being nominated has meant a lot to me, because I’m not doing the things I do to be awarded.

“Volunteering and all the different programs I’m involved in – I love them. I love seeing kids at events, and putting a smile on their face really makes your day.”

With the population of the NT much younger than the Australian population in general, according to the NT Government, Mr Xiao is passionate about championing not only the voices, but the concerns, of young people in Central Australia.

“There are so many things young people are not happy about or struggling with, especially mental health, and most people don’t know who to talk to and where to go,” he explained.

“It’s important to have someone or a group within the Territory that can support young people and work with us to determine what’s important to young people.

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“If you’re someone that’s never volunteered or gotten involved with the community before, do it once and you’ll know the feeling.

“It’s the feeling of making someone else’s day, because you wanted to, not because you were paid to.”

For more information visit awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/nt/