Morialta Citizenship Awards

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:13): Every year, it is my pleasure as the member for Morialta to recognise the significant work of students in the Morialta electorate who have won Morialta Citizenship Awards. The award consists of a prize of $100 per campus, either a book voucher or a cheque, and a certificate to a student identified by the school who has demonstrated outstanding service to their community and our community.

The Morialta Citizenship Award winners for 2019 from Athelstone School are Alexandra Noble and Luke Sherrah. Alexandra and Luke have responsibly carried out extracurricular duties through leadership, sport and organisational roles, benefiting both school and community. Basket Range Primary School nominated Brigitta Whibley, a self-motivated student with a positive mindset and responsible attitude, who has demonstrated her school's vision and values.

Birdwood High School's Charles Lord demonstrated resourcefulness and initiative in all aspects of his school life, making an important contribution to the school, and in business he continues to support the school. Jessica Holder from Birdwood Primary School has achieved academically and contributed to school life whilst being very involved in her local community. She has performed in amateur theatre as well as being involved with the Gumeracha CFS cadets.

At Charles Campbell College two awards were presented, one to senior student Merridy Hollitt and the other to middle school student Afton Penrith. Merridy has been an active student leader, organising a range of events, and is an advocate for student voice. Afton is an active community leader and sportsperson with a passion for football. She has played in the Indigenous women's development squad and SAASTA. Afton was also honoured by the Campbelltown council in their Australia Day awards this year.

Domino Servite College nominated Jeremy Jaeger, an enthusiastic student who has demonstrated on a regular basis outstanding service to his school and the wider community as a positive role model. Gumeracha Primary School split their award between two students, Mya Eglinton and Cooper Mugford. Mya is a talented musician, a keen soccer player and a most articulate student who cares deeply about current issues and who debates in a calm and thoughtful manner. Cooper has a tremendous skill and talent on the sporting field. He has reflected the school values in all his endeavours and is a great role model for younger students.

At Highbury Primary School, Ella Rooney and Peita Whitbread have shown leadership abilities as student voice representatives and by being involved in school sports. Ella was also a learning leader, supporting younger students with their reading, and made a significant contribution to the music program. Peita was a senior choir captain, a musician who entertained residents at aged-care facilities in the area, and a choreographer for the school concert.

Henry Green from Lenswood Primary School displayed excellent choices as a polite and considerate young man who is happy to give maximum effort in all his school endeavours and is respected and popular with his peers. At Lobethal Lutheran School, Luke Stevens is a student who epitomises the behaviour of a responsible school citizen, using the privileges of being a senior student responsibly and the voice of good conscience when needed.

Lobethal Primary nominated two students, Angus Fitzgerald and Cameron Tidd. Angus is a compassionate, well-mannered student who shares his musical talents with the Hills community. He also performed in the Adelaide production of the Wizard of Oz. Cameron is an elite athlete in trampoline gymnastics and is a great role model in terms of sportsmanship, commitment and humility. Last year, he represented Australia at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Age Championships.

Angus Riessen was nominated by Norton Summit Primary School as a self-motivated student who works cooperatively with others. He has displayed leadership as a house captain and in a number of extra-curricular events.

At Norwood Morialta High School, the senior winner was Elise Banks, who is an active participant in the performing arts, mock trials and community programs, a volunteer for Friends of Blackhill and Morialta, Melodies in the Park and tutoring year 9 students—and it goes on. Elise is also a Queen's Scout. Harrison Critchley was the middle school leader and a blue house leader and was very community minded, as is evidenced by his involvement in groups like the Pedal Prix and the rowing club.

Rostrevor College's Nathan McCarthy had strong participation in sport and social justice initiatives. A social justice prefect, Nathan worked as an assistant for the Special Olympics. From St Ignatius College, Jeremy Schell contributed to the school and his community through involvement in the school TV program, the Smith Family's Reading Buddy Program and as a student chapter representative. He has also acted as an altar server and reader during school mass, and a tour guide for new families and students.

Stradbroke School had four students, Isabella Di Marco, Mia Button, Hanna Rice and Christos Mavrotsoupakis. All were worthy winners who demonstrated leadership skills and kindness and who volunteered for a range of school activities, helping staff and students. Amira Pazios from Thorndon Park Primary School is a student leader who was involved in special events at the school, contributing to the year book and doing her best to collaborate with others, showing leadership and teamwork. From Uraidla Primary School, Sam Johansen has shown enthusiasm to volunteer for any task that would help his fellow students, always willing to serve his school and community. He is also a member of the Army Cadets.

These young men and women are deserving winners of the 2019 Morialta Citizenship Award. In all, 27 students received the award last year, and I am very pleased to pay tribute to them on this occasion. I commend them to the house.