Students’ initiative celebrated
Annual awards have honoured the initiative, community spirit and positive examples of three students in the west Wimmera.
West Wimmera Shire Council presented its annual student citizenship awards to three students last month.
The awards recognised Susan Rowe of Goroke College, Bonnie Gordon of Kaniva College and Dashel Adams of Edenhope College for their willingness to assist in tasks that benefitted the community, their involvement in community activities, and setting positive examples regarding attitudes to study.
The award includes a framed certificate and $300 for future education expenses.
Mayor Tim Meyer said the annual awards were the council’s way of ‘saying well done’.
“Council believes it is important to acknowledge and encourage students who strive for excellence,” Cr Meyer said.
“It’s fantastic to see so many young people striving to make a difference in our communities.”
Students undertaking a Victorian Certificate of Education, VCE, or Victorian Certificate of
Applied Learning, VCAL, in 2023 were eligible for the award.
Scholarships presented
Hindmarsh Shire Council has presented its annual Rae Keam scholarship and award to students at the shire’s three secondary colleges.
The honour is named after Rae Keam, a Shire of Dimboola engineer from 1955 to 1979, who was born and raised locally and was well respected in his role with the council.
After his death, his wife would travel to each school presenting this award to students who demonstrated academic merit together with well-rounded citizenship qualities.
Mayor Brett Ireland said the criterion evolved over time as schools gained further sponsorships, scholarships and awards from other sources, but it was still held in ‘very high regard’ at each school.
Holly Doxey and Clarissa Bigham shared the honours at Rainbow P-12 College while Caleb Zanker was the Nhill College recipient and Meleah Ylstra the Dimboola Memorial Secondary College recipient.