Corporal Cameron Baird’s toughest and ultimately fatal battle was fought amid heavy enemy fire in a small village in Afghanistan.
The posthumously awarded Victoria Cross recipient was killed in Ghawchak village, Uruzgan Province, in June 2013.
At the same time, then 22-year-old Sarah Mackin was battling a very different war, due to not being able to live at home.
Last Wednesday night, Ms Mackin stood before a packed reception at a special awards ceremony to accept the 2015 Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG Memorial Award.
She was a joint winner with 21-year-old Angela Atonio, who was also earlier this year named Hume’s 2015 young citizen of the year.
The pair will share $10,000 that can be used to “follow their dreams,” Hume mayor Adem Atmaca said.
Ms Mackin said she was honoured to accept the award and was looking forward to contributing something meaningful to the community.
She’s studying community services and community development.
Ms Mackin and Ms Antonio are the inaugural winners of the Cameron Baird Memorial Award, set up in memory of the former Gladstone Park resident to help young Hume residents pursue their passions.
