Brad Olsen, 18, has been named one of the finest young leaders from across the Commonwealth. Photo / Supplied
Brad Olsen, 18, has been named one of the finest young leaders from across the Commonwealth. Photo / Supplied
Whangarei 18-year-old Brad Olsen reckons he will be fine meeting the Queen.
After all, he can "have a yarn" with anyone.
Mr Olsen has been named one of the finest young leaders from across the Commonwealth, as one of two New Zealanders to be chosen for the Queen's Young LeaderAward.
Currently in Wellington studying towards degrees in political science, international relations, economics and public policy, he said he applied for the awards at the last minute "on a whim".
"When I found out I'd won I was pretty shocked ... It's fantastic but it's really more about the groups I've worked with and people who have supported me. It all started in Whangarei and I owe a lot to people there."
The awards celebrate exceptional people aged 18 to 29 who are leaders in their community. The accolade includes a trip to the UK in June where recipients meet the Queen during a week-long programme. This is followed with a year-long leadership programme from Cambridge University, delivered online. Mr Olsen has appeared in the Advocate numerous times over the past few years - he spent four years on the Whangarei District Council youth advisory group, is a youth ambassador for Unicef NZ, and has represented New Zealand as a youth delegate. At 17 he helped set up a free healthcare clinic for young people in Whangarei. He also works with the national youth advisory group, advising government departments and NGOs about issues ranging from mental health to education. Mr Olsen said he rarely "switches off" and was not nervous about meeting the Queen.
"I think it's the fairly Kiwi reaction of taking it as it is and giving it a go. I seem to be able to get along with most people and have a yarn with them."
Mum Helen Olsen said she was "stunned" by her son's latest recognition.
"Obviously we're really proud of him, but this hasn't just happened. He's been working hard for a lot of years on a voluntary basis and I can vouch for that, because I dropped him off. It just seems like the more you give him the more he can do," Mrs Olsen said.
She said her son was an "exhausting" child. "He was a speaker from way early. He had an inquiring mind from day dot and one-line answers were never enough.
"As much as we could talk and tell him, he would soak it in. From a little boy he could talk to anyone and everyone which is what we tried to teach him. So he's always had that knack."
