Jeremy Chetty receives recognation for contribution to Ausum

DUNCRAIG resident Jeremy Chetty (35) is approaching his third year of volunteering at Midland-based not-for-profit organisation AUSUM Initiatives.

The entrepreneur’s milestone is being recognised during this year’s National Volunteer Week.

The co-founder of student services website Student Edge has been volunteering to help young Aboriginal teenagers in the Ausum entrepreneurs program create their own small businesses.

Mr Chetty is also an advisory committee member for Multicultural Interests Minister Michael Nahan and said it was important to give back to the community.

He said volunteering his skills to assist Aboriginal youth was particularly rewarding.

“I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and helping to equip young people who have had disadvantage in their lives to think innovatively about the possibilities of starting their own business and being their own boss,” he said.

Born in South Africa, Mr Chetty moved to Australia when he was nine years old, and was one of four students from Willetton Senior High School who founded Student Edge in 2003.

Ausum Initiatives chief executive Liz Prescott said the organisation highly valued its volunteers.

“We have a small but incredibly talented group of highly committed volunteers who are a huge support to our team at Ausum, and particularly the young people who we work with,” she said.

“National Volunteer Week is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the generosity of our volunteers, who give their time so freely to support local youth by imparting their knowledge and skills.”

For more information on volunteering at Ausum, email Sep@ausum.org.au or call 9274 9900.

National Volunteer Week runs from May 9 to 15 and this year’s theme is ‘Give Happy, Live Happy’.