KUCHING, MALAYSIA - Six years ago, Chan Yee Hon was a rebellious student in school who was more interested in extra-curricular activities than books.

Chan Yee Hon is a student at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia.

He left SMK St Joseph after completing his Form Five with an average result of 2As, 6Bs and 1C in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.

He did his A levels at Taylor's College and that was when reality sank in.

"It was only then that I realised that life was tough and that I would need to strive to achieve something better in life. My attitude towards my education has changed since," said Yee Hon who is studying in Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia.

And Yee Hon has proven that anything is possible with a bit of hard work.
He was named one of the recipients of this year's Australia-Malaysia Business Council of South Australia (AMBCSA) Patron's Merdeka Award for Excellence.

Yee Hon received the award from South Australia's former governor Sir Eric Neal at a ceremony in Adelaide at the weekend to mark Malaysia's 51st Merdeka celebration.

He received a trophy and A$1,000 (RM2,900) for his academic achievements and his involvement in a youth development organisation known as Reach Out.

For the past couple of years, Yee Hon, a medical science student, had been actively juggling his time between his studies and the Reach Out programme.

He also worked as a biology tutor for first-year students at the university.

His schedule also includes travelling to Sydney to give talks on mental health to high school students.

Yee Hon will also be one of the speakers at the 5th world conference on mental health and behavioural disorders at the Melbourne Convention Centre next Wednesday.

"Working on topics such as mental health and youth has inspired me a lot. There are many issues that need to be explored, including youths who need help to cope with their problems. I guess I've found my passion."

Although he has less than a year to go before graduating, Yee Hon already has three job offers waiting for him.

Yee Hon is the second child among three siblings.

His father, Chan Yew Hui, 50, owns a driving school in Bintawa, while his mother, Lee Jatt Fong, 46, is a housewife.

Yew Hui said he had always trusted his children to make the right decisions.

"I've brought up my kids and taught them what is right and wrong. And they should know what is best for their future.

"I can't find the words to express how proud I am that Yee Hon has received the award," said Yew Hui.

Bernama reports that other recipients of the award were Adelaide University student Wan Ilma Dewiputri Wan Burhanuddin, of Penang, and Ng Chia Ying, of Kedah.

Wan Ilma Dewiputri, who is completing a Bachelor of Health Science degree, has been named the top final-year Malaysian student in South Australia.

Ng is in her final year of Bachelor of Medical Radiation (Diagnostic) at the University of South Australia.