By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE’S Luke Chandler has been awarded for his efforts in the cricketing world, receiving a NAIDOC Week award in a ceremony on Monday 18 July.
Luke, 15, was awarded the Eastern Metropolitan Region’s NAIDOC 2016 Youth Sporting Achievement Award at the Yarra Ranges Council chambers on Monday evening, accompanied by his parents.
The award, an Aboriginal-made engraved Wathaurong glass platter, was announced at the EMR NAIDOC Ball and Awards night earlier in the month.
Councillors Maria McCarthy and Fiona McAllister presented Luke with the award, which paid tribute to the teenager’s stellar track record in the cricket world.
“Last year, Luke was one of 12 young Victorian Indigenous cricketers selected to undertake the journey of a lifetime to Dubai, to take part in the England cricket legend, Kevin Pietersen’s cricket academy,” Cr McAllister said.
“Luke had the opportunity to train under Pietersen’s watchful eye, attend international matches, meet high profile cricketers and compete in Pietersen’s T20 World Cup, representing Australia.”
Luke, a Healesville resident, currently plays for Lilydale’s cricket club and previously played for Healesville.
He told the Mail that he has been playing cricket since he was seven, after growing up playing matches in the backyard.
Cr McAllister said the council was “thrilled” to sponsor the award each year, and congratulated Luke for his efforts.
“There is such incredible talent locally, but I’m very proud to say a lot of it is in the Yarra Valley and around Healesville, and a huge congratulations, Luke, for what you’ve already achieved,” she said.
“We look forward to watching you play for Australia in the future.”
Aunty Irene Norman received the EMR NAIDOC Elders Award, while Marissa Atkinson and Sandra Nolan received Community Awards.
Brooke Collins and Corina Ritchie received Caring for Country Awards at the ball, while Meg Renfrey received the Non-Indigenous Award; Nora Young received the Youth Education and Employment Award, while the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place Choir won the Arts Award.
