It was a case of déjà vu for Charles Darwin University’s Felix Ho when he was named Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day Awards ceremony in Darwin.
Felix had also been honoured in Tasmania on Australia Day in 2006, when he was named Young Australian of the Year.
The St John Ambulance paramedic, who is studying for a Graduate Diploma in Health Research through the Menzies School of Health Research, said news of this year’s nomination had come as a complete surprise.
“I don’t even know who nominated me but I feel quite humbled to have been singled out in this way for doing everyday kind of things that I love doing.”
In addition to his paramedic work, Felix trains and mentors St John Ambulance cadets in a voluntary capacity.
“I’m a strong believer in youth development and in instilling values of personal safety into our young people,” he said.
“If we can teach them to think a bit more before they act then we may be able to prevent a repetition of some of the tragic scenes that I’ve seen through my paramedic work.”
Felix, who immigrated to Australia from Hong Kong in 1988, said it was a privilege to have been publicly recognised for doing the things he enjoys.
“As for 2012, I have no grand plans. I’ll stay in Darwin, continue my studies and plod along doing what I do.”