Inaugural Edith Dircksey Cowan Achievement Award recognises 22 of Geraldton’s young hardworking leaders

Students from across Geraldton have been recognised for their inclusivity, academic effort and leadership with the inaugural Edith Dircksey Cowan Achievement Award. Twenty-two students from various Geraldton schools received the award as the school year drew to a close. The award requires the student to display inclusivity and encouragement of their peers, a genuine attempt to improve their academic or VET results, and leadership in their community, both in and out of school. Geraldton Senior High School’s recipient was Year 12 student Jaylarnee Manado, who the school said showed high achievement in her studies while also getting involved in the local sporting community, coaching and managing the Geraldton team participating in the NAIDOC Grass Roots Netball Program. This is all while being part of an entrepreneurial venture creating healing products with the women of her family. “Her determination and aspiration make Jaylarnee a fantastic role model that embodies the qualities of a true leader, ‘blazing the trail’ and enriching opportunities for other young women and Aboriginal people,” a school spokesperson said. The award was established this year to honour Edith Cowan, Australia’s first female member of parliament, who was born in Geraldton. The award’s founder, Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton, said recognising the hard work of the next generation was a fitting tribute to Cowan. “Edith’s contribution to WA’s society was incredible. She tirelessly advocated for social reform and the education and advancement of women and children, in the face of her own personal adversity and discrimination,” she said. “By naming this award in her honour, I hope that it keeps her legacy alive and relevant to these modern times and that the young people who receive this award understand the impacts Edith has had on their lives and be proud of themselves for being recognised as someone who shares traits with such an influential character from our local history.” EDITH DIRCKSEY COWAN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS Lalani McLeod (Geraldton Residential College) Josie Shea (Waggrakine Primary School) Georgia Crothers (St Francis Xavier Primary School) Loren Edwards (Geraldton Christian College) Cheyenne Neal (Holland Street School) Zarah Middler (Mt Tarcoola Primary School) Addison Van Tiel (Wandina Primary School) Ashleigh Blignaut (Geraldton Grammar School) Madison Hipper (Geraldton Primary School) Christabella Pumpa (Meekatharra School of the Air) Freya Bergen (Leaning Tree Steiner School) Jaylarnee Manado (Geraldton Senior High School) Brynie Wright (Champion Bay Senior High School) Lilah Beaver (St John’s School) Wyatt Bowes (Holland Street School) Leah-May Labuschagne (Geraldton Christian College) Declan McNaught (Wandina Primary School) Alexis Griffin (Beachlands Primary School) Aarav Singh Dillon (Geraldton Grammar School) Isaac Barndon (Geraldton Primary School) Indi Finch (Allendale Primary School) Brianna Luffman-Williams (Bluff Point Primary School)