THREE Kilmore area students ended their years on a high note, being honoured with the Weary Dunlop Award.
Willowmavin Primary School student Jesse Jervis, St Patrick’s Primary School student Marley Lilburn and Kilmore International student Stephanie Calderwood were among 19 winners of the award across the Euroa electorate.
The annual prize, awarded by Member for Euroa Steph Ryan, honours students who have demonstrated the qualities exemplified by Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop.
The students demonstrated persistence and resilience in order to achieve great heights academically, socially, culturally, in the sporting arena, or in another field of endeavour.
Jesse was described by his teachers as an excellent role model to his peers. He was a committed student throughout a challenging year and sought to help others in his school community by helping twice a week, every week, at the school breakfast club.
Marley showed great dedication and commitment to her schoolwork and her role as school captain last year, displaying courage, determination and faith, but it was her compassion that her teachers noted as one of her most outstanding traits.
Stephanie’s dedication and commitment to achieving her goals saw her obtain the position of school captain last year. She has been a high achiever academically, musically and in sport. Her teachers praised her attributes of resilience, compassion and honesty.
Ms Ryan said each recipient was a great example of the spirit exemplified by Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop.
“Acknowledging the efforts of these wonderful young people is one of the highlights of my year,” she said.
“Each award winner has a unique story of how they persisted and showed resilience to overcome adversity.”
Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was born and raised at Stewarton, educated in Benalla, and grew up to be an extraordinary surgeon, serving in World War II.
As a prisoner of Japanese forces, Weary Dunlop displayed extraordinary courage, leadership and compassion, giving hope to the sick and comforting the dying.
He was described by one of his men as ‘a lighthouse of sanity in a universe of madness and suffering’.
The award is made annually and recognises students who have done their best in the face of challenges.
