By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE High School honoured the achievements of its sporting students last week, with awards handed out to its high achievers.
At a whole-school assembly on Tuesday, 18 August, students were called up to receive awards for the school’s athletics and cross-country events.
But before the medals were handed out, two guest speakers took the podium to hand out special awards.
The first awards went out to the school’s equestrian team, who took out a slew of ribbons at an interschool event in March.
Molly Hore, Ally Melville, Amy Bruton and Kira Hetherton all received jackets and saddle pads for their efforts, with Ms Hore receiving two lots of prizes after being crowned the individual champion for the event.
Victorian Equestrian Centre proponent, Ken Aldred, congratulated the girls for their efforts, and said that the centre was a “proving ground” for future equestrian stars.
“It’s been a great training ground, a great proving ground for riders over the last 20 years,” he said.
Yarra Ranges councillor Noel Cliff then called up 12-year-old Jayden Garvey to present the annual NAIDOC Indigenous Youth Sporting Achievement award.
Cr Cliff said the award was announced at the NAIDOC ball, held last month, but as Jayden was under 18, he was unable to attend at the licensed Dorset Gardens.
Jayden was selected for his award after showing “great potential and natural talent” since joining the Healesville under-9s team.
“It’s fair to say he found the discipline required challenging at times, putting him at odds with the umpires,” Cr Cliff said, reading the award citation.
“His love of the game, determination to succeed and the support he has received from the coaches and others at the club kept him turning up every week and he has developed into a reliable and valuable member of the team.”
Cr Cliff said that Jayden would also be acknowledged for his sporting efforts in an upcoming Yarra Ranges Council meeting.
The high school’s sporting champions in the annual athletics and cross-country events then received medals for their efforts on the field.
