Uplifting stories showcasing success, inspiration and possibilities. Video / NZME
NZME’s On The Up is a national campaign showcasing amazing stories of inspiration, success, courage and possibilities. Here, Maryana Garcia talks to a Coromandel teenager who just received a Road Safety Hero Award.
Whitianga teenager Mila Smith de Zeeuw was on her way to a leadership course whenshe saw an elderly cyclist get struck by a car.
“I saw this guy on the road. He was bleeding quite a lot and was clearly quite injured.
When she was 14, Mila was playing the victim at her dad’s fire brigade training drills.
“I saw how they were a tight-knit group, and I always wanted to be a part of it.”
Mila Smith de Zeeuw has been volunteering with her local fire brigade since she was 16.
Once she turned 16, Mila said, she signed up as soon as she could.
Now she balances weekly trainings and school with her volunteer work with the brigade.
“I go to as many callouts as I can,” Mila said.
“Balancing it seems to work most of the time. My family and friends are very supportive.”
This week, Mila was recognised as a hero for her work as a volunteer fire brigade member and the head of Mercury Bay Area School’s Students Against Dangerous Driving committee.
In a ceremony that saw three of Auckland’s landmark buildings lit up in yellow, Mila was awarded the Annual Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Hero Award.
The award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting road safety in their communities.
The Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Alliance is an organisation that brings together government, corporate and community groups committed to reducing road trauma.
Mila’s experiences with the fire brigade motivated her to make sure younger drivers were educated about road safety.
“Through the fire brigade and seeing the car crash training and going to the car crashes myself, I realised that most of the crashes are from younger people,” Mila said.
“When you see a crash you see that it doesn’t just affect the person in the crash, it affects witnesses and their families.”
Three of Auckland’s landmark buildings were lit up in yellow for the ceremony where Mila was presented with the Annual Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Hero Award.
Mila has spearheaded initiatives that bring police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand into her school to raise awareness about road safety.
“What’s kept me motivated is to know that even if not everyone listens, there might be one or two people who do.
“They lit up the Skytower, the PWC building and the bridge.”
Fire and Emergency Waikato group manager Matt Cook said the service was “extremely proud of the mahi Mila had put into protecting and supporting her community.
“Motor vehicle crashes make up a significant portion of calls we respond to, so work like this is very important to help reduce harm on the roads.”
Kaitiaki o Ara Students Against Dangerous Driving general manager Donna Govorko said Mila was an “outstanding young lady”.
“[She] is passionate about helping her community stay safe on our roads.”
Mila (left) was recognised as a hero for her work as a volunteer fire brigade member and the head of Mercury Bay Area School’s Students Against Dangerous Driving committee.
Road Safety Education Limited general manager Maria Lovelock said choosing one winner for the award was “incredibly difficult”.
Mila said she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she finished school next year, but she wanted to continue her involvement with Fire and Emergency.
Later this year, she plans to complete her qualified firefighter course in Rotorua.
“I’d love to be able to stay with the brigade,” Mila said.
“They’re my second family.”
Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.
