By LUKE VOOGT
MP Sarah Henderson recognised three local primary students as “leaders of tomorrow” last month, awarding them the Corangamite Medal.
Wallington Primary’s Bayley Herbert won the medal for volunteer work and leading school events, such as its Footy Colours Fun Day and Children’s Fair.
“I was very proud,” she said.
“I wasn’t expecting it but when they called out my name I was very pleased with myself.”
Surfside Primary student Rylee Finlay received the medal for “her compassion to those around her” and volunteering at school events.
Rylee also won a Rotary Junior Community Award this year for completing community service.
Coincidentally, the two girls play netball together and both are looking forward to starting high school next year.
“I’m quite nervous – it’s a bit of a change from a few hundred students to a thousand,” Bayley said.
“But I think I’ll be fine once I settle in.”
Both the girls’ parents were very proud of their daughters’ achievements.
“It’s a good reward for getting them involved in things,” said Bayley’s father Dean.
“That was one of the things she liked about her last year at school – being able to help the younger kids.”
Star of the Sea’s Grace Hamilton also won an award for her extensive community service.
Grace and her family were on holiday in the US at the time of publication.
