Youth shine at 2007 achievement awards - Ganbina Koorie Economic Employment and Training Agency

2007 youth award winners pictured with Ganbina Chairperson Neville Atkinson and State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell.

Ganbina Youth of the Year Sarai Atkinson.

Ganbina 2007 Youth Awards at the Eastbank Centre

More than 150 people filled Shepparton's Eastbank Centre on Thursday, November 29 to celebrate the success of some of the Goulburn Valley's finest young Indigenous role models.

Ganbina hosted its annual Education, Training and Employment Achievement Awards to acknowledge the success of Indigenous youth studying and working in Shepparton and Mooroopna during 2007.

Acknowledged as the highest achiever of the 2007 awards and named Ganbina Youth of the Year was Notre Dame College student Sarai Atkinson of Shepparton. Sarai graduated Year 12 this year and plans to study physiotherapy at university next year.

"I want to thank my dad for always encouraging me to finish school and my mum for setting a great example...she has been my role model completing her university studies this year," Sarai said.

Sarai represented Australia in an international netball competition earlier this year and plays and coaches netball at Rumbalara Football Netball Club. She is the daughter of Neville and Petah Atkinson.

She has encouraged other Indigenous youth to stay at school hoping that as more Indigenous people graduate school and gain higher tertiary qualifications it will help increase the life expectancy of Indigenous people in Australia.

State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell presented state awards to the highest achiever in each category. She said it was an honor to continue to support Indigenous youth and was proud of their achievements.

State award winners were: Natarsha Bamblett, Minjaara Atkinson, Bronwyn Ladgrove, Elley Drummond, Allen Roberts, Sarai Atkinson, Luke Brown, Tammy-Lee Atkinson and Jamie Atkinson.

Ganbina was established in 1997, to represent the Indigenous community in the Goulburn Valley. It is recognised that for young people to succeed in the Shepparton and Mooroopna area, they face significant barriers. Additionally, they carry the burden of being leaders and role models. Ganbina has established awards in the areas of education, training and employment to acknowledge the achievements and efforts of some of these individuals and to encourage them on their journey's forward.

Youth shine at 2007 achievement awardsTuesday, 4 December 2007

Youth shine at 2007 achievement awards
Tuesday, 4 December 2007