Billy-Jo Austin in line for young achievers award

Now living in Lyndhurst and working at the Lee Hostel in Blayney, Billi-Jo comes via the Riverina town of Deniliquin where she says she developed many of the skills and beliefs that has seen her in the running for the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for NSW/ACT.

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Nominated in the The Department of Human Services Aboriginal Achievement Award, Billi-Jo believes that her work at the Lee Hostel will help her in her path towards a career in health care.

"Working here I've really developed my skills in talking with people with dementia and have just finished some infection control training," she said.

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Billi-Jo's progress towards the award began when she joined an aboriginal program at Deniliquin High School and following on a family tradition, joined the school's army cadets.

"My dad wanted my brother to join but he said no, so I thought I'd show him and I joined up," she said.

Four years later Billi-Jo had made the rank of lance corporal and has found the experience to be invaluable.

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"I learnt a lot of leadership skills and learning that I can teach people a lot of things and discovered my caring side as the first-aid officer," she said.

The caring side of her character is one that Billi-Jo finds the most satisfying.

"I really enjoy helping people, I get a real serotonin rush from seeing other people being happy," she said.

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