By Casey Neill
Nathan Taylor started mentoring kids when he was still a teen himself.
He was the Youth Enterprise Nominee at the first Greater Dandenong Chamber Business Awards breakfast for the year, held at Sandhurst Golf Club on Wednesday 29 March.
Chisholm sport and school partnerships manager Connor Mulan said Nathan, 23, started his studies at the TAFE last July with a Certificate IV in Youth Work.
Mr Mullan said the student had a high level of commitment and a genuine desire to continue learning.
He said Nathan volunteered with the Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-operative while studying and had taken up a paid position since graduating.
Nathan is now completing a diploma of youth work part-time at Chisholm.
He said Chisholm had made working while studying easy.
“I’m in my dream job at the moment, working in my own community,” he said.
The Narre Warren resident believes the diploma will assist with this work.
“Education’s going to be the main thing for me,” he said.
“I’d been in mentor and in leadership roles for kids since I was 14, 15.
“I saw it as a way to give back to my community in the best way I knew how.”
Nathan said his dad was the co-op’s chairperson and his nan was also on the board.
“My family was one of the first establishing families,” he said.
“I’ve been involved my whole life, so I wouldn’t want to leave.”
The Youth Enterprise Award winner will be announced at an event in November.
