A dedication to helping those less fortunate helped earn Ms Pilekic Brimbank's 2010 young citizen of the year award.

Last year she organised a youth charity ball to raise money for the Children First Foundation, which went directly to the operation to separate conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna.

"We raised about $7500 that night," she said. "It was great to know that the money went to help for that operation; it was such a worthwhile charity to donate to."

In previous years, Ms Pilekic has worked in a soup van that traverses Maribyrnong and Brimbank, delivering food to the homeless.

She attended Marian College in West Sunshine and was a founding member of the Leos Club, a junior arm of the Lions Club.

"That was a great experience. We went away on a camp for children who had had it tough and just spent time with them while they got to step outside their normal lives for a while."

Since leaving school, Ms Pilekic has studied journalism and continued her commitment to volunteering, using her spare time to help the elderly, the homeless and underprivileged children.

"I was so shocked to win this award," she said. "I don't do these things to win awards, I do them because I want to. It doesn't take much effort to volunteer and the more people who get involved the better."

Her next charity venture will be a fashion parade to raise funds for the Children First Foundation. "We are looking for sponsors for the show and for young, local designers who want their collections on show for the first time."