The highly-acclaimed Student Volunteer Army which mobilised in the immediate aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes is moving into a new phase of community service projects, its new president says.
University of Canterbury law student Bridget Williams said the days of shovelling liquefaction were hopefully over for Student Volunteer Army (SVA) students, with new 'platoons' marching into action.
"We are no longer bound by earthquake-related tasks as we are open to everything and anything that betters the community," said Miss Williams, who takes over from SVA founder Sam Johnson, the 2012 Young New Zealander of the Year.
Using Facebook, Mr Johnson rallied students onto the streets of Christchurch after the February 22, 2011 killer quake to help with the clean-up and co-ordinate the army's efforts.
Miss Williams said it was important for the SVA to be sustainable and to grow from the experiences of the last two years.
