Back to VCAA Bulletin No. 52 - September 2019
VCE Leadership Awards 2019 nominees announced
The VCE Leadership Awards 2019 nominees have been announced, with four of the six students hailing from regional and rural Victorian schools.
A panel of seven judges from both the VCAA and the Foundation for Young Australians chose the nominees for the VCE Leader of the Year from a field of over 30 applicants. The nominees come from as far afield as Terang, Cobram, Traralgon and Ballarat, as well as from metropolitan schools.
This year's ceremony will take place at Queen's Hall at Parliament House on Wednesday 18 September, with Chris Wardlaw, VCAA Chair, present at the proceedings. Our sponsor, Lenovo, will again provide the prizes for the leaders.
The awards recognise the outstanding contributions of VCE students to their schools and communities. To be eligible for the awards, nominees must have demonstrated initiative, inspired others, be able to work well in a team, and be committed to making a difference.
This year's candidates are drawn from varied school sectors, are highly active within their schools and are dedicated to making a difference in a wide range of social causes. The nominees are:
- Lachlan Warwick from Ballarat Grammar, who has developed a program to support victims of family violence within his community
- Maya Ghassali from Gleneagles Secondary College, who has established a podcast highlighting stories of asylum seekers from a broad range of backgrounds
- Ellie Jones from Cobram Secondary College, who has been instrumental in raising funds for several projects in her rural community, such as restoring the local cinema gutted by fire
- Lincoln Ingravalle from Lavalla Catholic College, who has performed as Latrobe City Council Youth Mayor, promoting positive mental health and child protection in his community of Traralgon
- Sophie-Kate Shaw from Terang P–12 College, who has organised fundraising activities to support drought-stricken farmers in south-west Victoria
- Maiysha Moin from Fintona Girls' School, who was the organiser and media spokesperson for the Melbourne School Strike 4 Climate in March, and is the co-founder of Climate Leaders.
Maiysha said that it was an honour to receive her nomination. 'I am very humbled to be selected as one of the six Leaders of 2019,' she said. Lincoln echoed this sentiment, expressing his thanks and gratitude to the VCAA. 'I am truly quite humbled,' he said.
The 2018 VCE Leader of the Year award was presented to Victoria Hirt from Melton Christian College. Victoria's leadership helped to channel resources and skilled volunteers in Cambodian communities to improve the lives of some of that country's most vulnerable people – women, girls and prisoners.
The VCAA wishes all the 2019 VCE Leaders the best of luck. We thank the schools and students who took the time to submit applications for this year's awards, and Lenovo, for its ongoing support.