Damien Walker from Yarrawonga was presented with the inaugural Aunty Dot Peters Award which supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to complete years nine and 10 at a Victorian secondary school.
The $5,000 scholarship can be used to pay for schooling-related expenses such as tutoring, study supplies, IT and home office equipment, uniforms, excursions and extra-curricular activities over two years.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings presented the recipients with their awards at an event at Parliament House last week and said it was great to ensure Aunty Dot’s dream.
“It was Aunty Dot’s dream to establish an award to support young, emerging Aboriginal Victorians and it’s wonderful to be fulfilling that dream today,” Mr Jennings said.
“This award will ensure her name and legacy lives on for years to come – I congratulate all the recipients.”
Other 2020 recipients of the award included: Travis Colson from Churchill, Nyteisha Bushell from Darley and Emma Tibballs from Wurruk.
Yarrawonga award recipient Damien was excited about being awarded the scholarship as it will help with his future endeavours.
“There are lots of things I’m interested in and if I do well at school and in my sports, I know I will have lots of opportunities.”
A representative of P-12 College said “Congratulations to Damien Walker for receiving this award and we look forward to seeing you pursue your education at our college.
“Damien received this award due to his great display of commitment to his education and service to his community.”
The students were selected as scholarship winners by the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee from a highly competitive field. The committee said the four students selected displayed great commitment to their education and service to their community.
The awards are named in honour of Aunty Dot Peters – a champion for reconciliation and recognition.
In honour of her father, who died in service as a prisoner of war on the Thai Burma railway, Aunty Dot initiated the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service in 2005.
It is now a signature annual event for Aboriginal Victorians.
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