Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Awards
Annabelle CLEELAND (Euroa) (10:28): Today I have the absolute privilege of celebrating 12 extraordinary young people from right across the Euroa electorate, each one a worthy recipient of the Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Award. I want to give huge congratulations to Angus Rowe, Claire Hemming, Gabriel Mosley, Hunter Friederich, Hunter O’Bree, Lincoln Terry, Oliver Healy, Riley Mckenzie, Rose DeFazio, Roxanne Clark, Tom Harris and Zoe Holden. Nine of these incredible students, along with their families, are here at Parliament today for this special moment. This award is named after a true local hero, Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, a man whose name and legacy mean so much to our community. It is an award I am proud to support every single year because it recognises students who live by the same values Weary showed throughout his life, even in the most difficult wartime circumstances: compassion, courage, humility, leadership, integrity, friendship and forgiveness. These young people have shown all of that and so much more, whether it is in overcoming illness or the heartbreak of losing a loved one, excelling in sports, stepping into leadership, achieving academically or simply being that reliable, loyal friend that everyone can lean on. Some have faced challenges that many adults would find overwhelming, yet they have met them with incredible resilience and determination. While many of these students are still in primary school, their actions already speak volumes about the kind of leaders and citizens they are becoming. To the parents, guardians and teachers: thank you for the role that you have played in guiding and supporting them.