Member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson has announced the inaugural 2016 Aboriginal Students of the Year for the Electorate of Cootamundra are Jaylee Dunn from Cowra High School and Tori Apps from Young High School.
The Aboriginal Student of the Year is a new annual award recognising young people who demonstrate leadership within their school and local community.
“Both Jaylee from Year 10 and Tori from Year 9 are exceptional Wiradjuri young leaders,” Katrina said.
“Tori is a member of the Local Land Council and actively promotes and instructs her language and culture to other students.
“She is a respected young leader.
“Jaylee has gained the highest achievement award at Cowra High, a gold eagle, for positive behaviour learning.
“She is a diligent and mature student who strongly embraces and promotes Wiradjuri language and culture.
“There were several very worthy nominations for this prestigious award.
“Principals and school leaders nominated students from Junee and Cootamundra as well as Cowra and Young,” Katrina said.
While all are clearly outstanding nominees, Jaylee has been selected to head to Sydney in August to attend the Emerging Leaders Forum, where she will meet with Aboriginal, business and Government leaders.
“This will be a unique opportunity for Jaylee to hone her leadership skills in eminent company,” Katrina said.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams said the award program recognises emerging leaders, rewards students' commitment to their local community and connects students to community leaders and role models.
“The Aboriginal Student of the Year award highlights the outstanding contributions that young leaders are making in their local communities across the state,” Mrs Williams said.
“I warmly congratulate all of the award winners and I look forward to meeting some of them in Sydney later this year.”
