Zara Mina
Award Level:
Gold
Favourite memory of the Award:
I think my favourite memory would have to be the relief when completing hikes. I am not a very fit person so you can imagine how difficult hiking is for me. Nonetheless, I persevered and continued to climb those mountains which makes me reflect now as I continue in life that every difficult stage is just another mountain and once you get to the top you can see the amazing view and take it in as you congratulate yourself on what you just achieved. Additionally, the group of people (who I still regularly contact to this day) were so encouraging of the slower people in the group, and offered to take on a heavier load so the slow people would have it slightly easier. These acts of selflessness are one of the many reasons I participated in the award and encourage others to participate also.
Age:
17
Biggest challenge from doing the Award:
I think the biggest challenge for me was the fitness on the hike. This was purely from the climbing up and down the mountains although I am grateful that I did do it because now I know I can do anything I put my mind to.
Country:
Australia
Have you continued any of your Award activities? If so, what:
I have continued with all of my Award activities. My skill was to develop the skill of cooking which I continue to do and I have sparked a passion for cooking which I never had prior to completing my Awards. Additionally, I continued volunteering at the school cafe because I loved the atmosphere there with all the students while we raised funds for Fair Trade. I also continued my physical activity of walking as a way to clear my head by going for a nice long walk. This has been particularly helpful currently as I undertake my final year of secondary school.
Tell us the story behind your photo:
The photo I uploaded is from the my last day on my Urban Odyssey Gold qualifying hike. The photo is of the sunrise at the beautiful Cockatoo Island in Sydney. This photo is special to me because I will always remember waking up the group at 5:30am to watch the sunrise over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The random conversation topics that flowed will stay with me purely because of how obscure they were! For example we were talking about if a vampire bit a zombie would it become a zombie. It was so fun to sit and chat at 5:30 in the morning and just listen to the silence around us. I am so grateful to have experienced this as it is a privilege to camp at Cockatoo Island and see such a clear view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunrise.
Award Role:
Alumni
