All aboard the Blake express: Blake Bardowksi will spend a
week in West bus's planning department next month. "I'm
looking forward to putting my ideas on the table," he said.
Picture: Gene Ramirez
Smart thinking rewarded
12 Apr, 2011 12:00 AM
REMEMBER Blake Bardowski, the Shalvey teenager who devised his own bus network which he says would solve many transport hassles?
He's on the road to making a difference for commuters after he was named the inaugural Chifley Young Leader Award winner last week.
Federal Chifley MP Ed Husic implemented the annual award to recognise the great talent and potential of young people and inspire their peers.
Blake was one of nine finalists who showed community leadership in areas such as mental health, bullying, health and nutrition.
Runner-up was Loyola Senior High School student Nicholas Ward, who discussed the problems of poor health and nutrition.
The Star first met Blake almost a year ago when the then 14-year-old had devised a detailed bus network that would put bus companies and transport authorities to shame.
"I was very happy and surprised," Blake said of his award win.
"It was a shock and wasn't expecting it."
Westbus took notice of Blake's ideas at a forum last year and offered the Penrith High School student work experience for next month.
Priorities on Blake's wish list are the return of services which left Bidwill and Whalan commuters stranded when they were axed in 2009.
He's disappointed by recent incidents of rocks being thrown at buses and harassment of bus drivers — actions that saw the diversion of evening services in Bidwill, Emerton and Lethbridge Park.
"When will these people learn?" he said.
"It's not right, because buses are all some people have to get around."
He believed Mt Druitt should have its own free shuttle bus, similar to recently launched services in Penrith and Blacktown.
The service is part of Blake's plans, which include stops at Mt Druitt Hospital, the police station and going as far as Rooty Hill.
Blake won an iPad and enjoyed meeting federal Youth Minister Peter Garrett.
"He was interested in my bus network and I found we both like geography," he said.
His grandmothers and parents attended the ceremony at Rooty Hill RSL. Two heart operations couldn't keep dad Dean away: he was discharged hours earlier after eight weeks in hospital. It's been a big week in the Bardowski household after Blake turned 15 on Saturday, a day after his parents celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary.
Collecting bus timetables has been Blake's lifelong hobby, his mum Jillian said.
"He'll hate me for telling you this story but he could spell bus stop when he was two," she laughed.
"I am blown away by his mindset and couldn't be any prouder of him."
Federal Chifley MP Ed Husic implemented the annual award to recognise the great talent and potential of young people and inspire their peers.
Blake was one of nine finalists who showed community leadership in areas such as mental health, bullying, health and nutrition.
Runner-up was Loyola Senior High School student Nicholas Ward, who discussed the problems of poor health and nutrition.
The Star first met Blake almost a year ago when the then 14-year-old had devised a detailed bus network that would put bus companies and transport authorities to shame.
"I was very happy and surprised," Blake said of his award win.
"It was a shock and wasn't expecting it."
Westbus took notice of Blake's ideas at a forum last year and offered the Penrith High School student work experience for next month.
Priorities on Blake's wish list are the return of services which left Bidwill and Whalan commuters stranded when they were axed in 2009.
He's disappointed by recent incidents of rocks being thrown at buses and harassment of bus drivers — actions that saw the diversion of evening services in Bidwill, Emerton and Lethbridge Park.
"When will these people learn?" he said.
"It's not right, because buses are all some people have to get around."
He believed Mt Druitt should have its own free shuttle bus, similar to recently launched services in Penrith and Blacktown.
The service is part of Blake's plans, which include stops at Mt Druitt Hospital, the police station and going as far as Rooty Hill.
Blake won an iPad and enjoyed meeting federal Youth Minister Peter Garrett.
"He was interested in my bus network and I found we both like geography," he said.
His grandmothers and parents attended the ceremony at Rooty Hill RSL. Two heart operations couldn't keep dad Dean away: he was discharged hours earlier after eight weeks in hospital. It's been a big week in the Bardowski household after Blake turned 15 on Saturday, a day after his parents celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary.
Collecting bus timetables has been Blake's lifelong hobby, his mum Jillian said.
"He'll hate me for telling you this story but he could spell bus stop when he was two," she laughed.
"I am blown away by his mindset and couldn't be any prouder of him."
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