Sam Daykin

Youth Activities Coordinator, Bellingen Riverwatch Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator

Sam joined OzGREEN in February 2022 as a Youth Activities Coordinator. Since then, they have stepped into the Water Quality Monitoring Program Coordinator with Bellingen Riverwatch. Sam brings energy and vivaciousness to all that they do! Sam has helped deliver over 50 events in communities all across the NSW Mid North Coast from Kempsey in the South to Kyogle in the North. At OzGREEN, we really value and appreciate Sam’s fresh perspectives which help shape and guide our youth events to ensure they remain relevant and engaging for young people today.

Thank you Sam, for all that you do!

“I've had so many amazing opportunities since I started working with OzGREEN. People tell me I have the best job in town!

I get to channel my creativity by organising lots of fun environmental events for young people. My position has also allowed me to pursue my love of environmental science working as the Bellingen Riverwatch Coordinator.

With the support of the OzGREEN team and over 40 volunteers from all ages in the community, I have found a passion for land management and science in a way where I can not only be a learner, but a leader for other young people and volunteers in the program.

Working in OzGREEN’s YOUth LEADing The World program has also allowed me to build a great deal of leadership and teamwork skills with other young people. Together we have designed and planned an event where we can all learn about the local environment from Gumbaynggirr people. The event is called Ancient Futures and I wrote my own grant application and received $8000 to make it all happen! I have also had the opportunity to speak about it to over 100 young people at a recent youth leadership forum!

I'm also organising lots of other community events such as bushwalks, tours of local farms and a mini land and environment festival at Thora in Bellingen. This job makes me feel happy and good about myself and I feel really valued by OzGREEN and the wider community.

Working in a job I love has definitely helped me pursue things I enjoy outside of work in a confident and enthusiastic way. I have found myself working to care for the environment every day in my own ways, and have the energy and passion when outside of
work to do the things that matter to me the most.

But most of all, working at OzGREEN has taught me that I do not have to wait to have a voice. I do not have to wait until I have gone to university or grown older and become an adult. I have a voice now. A voice to make change, to be part of society right now as a 19 year old in a regional town doing what I love!"