Altona Meadows’ William McKenzie was named Hobsons Bay’s young citizen of the year on Australia Day. The 16-year-old has also won the Hobsons Bay inspirational young persons award twice. He talks with Goya Dmytryshchak.
What’s your connection with Hobsons Bay?
I’ve lived here my whole life. I go to school at Bayside P-12 College. I’ve got a job at Lavo Central – I work at the fish ’n’ chip shop and KFC. I’ve got two jobs, for the holidays anyway.
Tell me about some of the things you’ve done to be named young citizen of the year.
I’ve been pretty active within the community over the last couple of years. I was a participant of the 2014 Western Bulldogs Whitten Project and received the ‘you inspire me’ award in that program. I’ve been a member of the Future Leaders Unite (FLU) and Youth Parliament.
The Road to Smile campaign is something I thoroughly enjoyed advocating for. It was an initiative made up by FLU to battle teen depression or anxiety, you could say. It was an Instagram account where people could post their pictures saying #roadtosmile and there could be a picture of what makes them smile. It could be a caption of what makes them smile. The aim was to spread smiles around. When you see someone smile you instantly want to smile as well.
I’ve received the Hobsons Bay inspirational young persons award twice, which I’ve been pretty lucky for.
How did you feel when you were named Hobsons Bay young citizen of the year?
First of all when I received the letter I was thinking, oh, this might be one of the ones saying thank you for submitting an entry. Then when I read it, I was pretty shocked at it, to be honest, because I don’t find anything I do anything to be awarded for. It’s just me being me.
What do you like about Altona Meadows?
Could I do all the Altona instead – that’s all of the Altonas? Just pretty much how friendly everyone is, the location of everything – it’s easy to get to. I used to play footy for Williamstown and Altona.
Is there anything you would change about the area?
Not really.
What’s your favourite cafe or place to eat?
I’m going to say either Numero Uno or Stella’s. I’ve just been there for good occasions, friends’ birthdays and that, and they always serve nice food.
What inspires you?
To be the change I want to see in this world.
