``I said to myself at the start of the year that this year would be a good year and I have worked hard to apply myself,'' said Nathan, who is in year 12 at Elderslie High School.

The motivational speech worked. He impressed the judges who interviewed him for the youth award and he delivered a speech eloquently at the local leg of the national competition.

More than 2000 people compete in the Lions Youth of the Year quest each year with winners making their way through district, state and national finals.

Nathan, a keen public speaker, said his prepared speech was about the tall poppy syndrome.

``I discussed its origins and how it relates to society and its impacts,'' he said.

He said celebrities like TV presenter Ruby Rose and golfer Greg Norman were targets of the tall poppy syndrome while Aussie actor Hugh Jackman had managed to escape the harsh treatment.

Nathan developed the anti-bullying program Not Cool to Be Cruel after his own bullying experience.

It has been rolled out at two primary schools.

The program, which was backed by Camden Council and Camden Lions, won a Young Designer's award and was picked up by West Tigers and victims' rights campaigner Ken Marslew.

Macarthur Lions Club's Alan Dean said: ``Nathan set a very high standard for the runners up Anneke Pol from Camden High and Matthew Cowper from Macarthur Anglican (school).''