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​VCAA Bulletin
No. 43 - October 2018
Excellence
And Awards

Excellence & Awards

VCE Leadership Awards

VCE Leadership Awards inspire

The eight VCE Leadership Awards recipients standing in a line infront of the camera along with Judith Grayley, the Parliamentary Secretary for Education

L to R: Jagveer Singh, Edward Krutsch, Claudia Cox, Clare Freeman, Victoria Hirt, Judith Grayley, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Easha Nasir Iqbal, Jasmine Burke, Joseph Yugumbari

The 2018 VCE Leadership Awards ceremony took place at Treasury Theatre on Friday 21 September.

Seven judges from the VCAA and the Foundation for Young Australians chose eight finalists and the VCE Leader of the Year 2018, recognising the contribution of outstanding VCE students to their schools and the community.

Nominees must have demonstrated initiative, inspired others, worked well in a team, and be committed to making a difference.

The guest speaker, 2017 VCE Leader of the Year Joe Collins from Tyrell College, told the audience that a leader was someone ‘who achieves many things for the broader community without needing any recognition’.

Each of the eight finalists for 2018 was invited to the stage to collect their trophy, a certificate from Parliamentary Secretary for Education Judith Graley and a tablet sponsored by Lenovo. Each finalist spoke of their leadership experience as they accepted their award.

The 2018 VCE Leader of the Year award was presented to Victoria Hirt from Melton Christian College.

Victoria’s leadership has helped to channel resources and skilled volunteers as far afield as Cambodia to improve the lives of some of that country’s most vulnerable people – women, girls and those in prison. Despite working part-time to fund her frequent trips to Cambodia, Victoria has also actively contributed at school and in her local community.

Victoria credited her school with providing students with an environment of continuous personal development and encouragement.

‘My teachers and the extended leadership team of the school have been instrumental in helping me to achieve my personal best,’ she said.

‘I’ve learnt so much about the importance of self-worth and building yourself up so that you can help others.'

Victoria’s teachers commended her selflessness and paid tribute to her leadership at school, including her mentoring of younger students.

Melton Christian College principal David Gleeson credits three teachers – Amanda Kirsten and Derek Bendall, along with Head of Welfare Bonnie Lang – with ‘building a leadership program for students that brings out the best in the best’.

‘The student leadership program amplifies initiative and self-management,’ he said. ‘For the staff who coach our impressive students it is a fine balance between being available, and just getting out of the way.’

The clarinet choir of McKinnon Secondary School performed during the awards and at the reception. The VCAA thanks all schools and students who participated.

The finalists

Profiles of the eight finalists are on the VCAA website:

Clare Freeman Lalor Secondary College, Joseph Yugumbari St Kevin’s College, Victoria Hirt Melton Christian College, Edward Krutsch St Michael’s Grammar School, Jasmine Burke FCJ College, Easha Nasir Iqbal Ilim College, Claudia Cox Tyrrell College and Jagveer Singh Hoppers Crossing Secondary College.

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