Sykes host morning tea at Parliament for student award winners

Nationals MP Bill Sykes this week had the pleasure of hosting morning tea at Parliament house for 12 student award winners and their families from the Benalla Electorate.

The students were last year’s recipients of Dr Sykes’ Weary Dunlop, You’ve Got What It Takes Award. The award was initiated by Dr Sykes in 2003 to recognize students who have demonstrated persistence and resilience in overcoming challenges to achieve either personally, socially, academically, on the sporting arena or in some other field of endeavour.

Dr Sykes said, “It was a great pleasure to welcome students and their families to Parliament House this week. For most it was their first time to view the magnificent building and surrounds and learn a little of it’s history and maybe recognize some familiar faces in the corridors.”

Students attending were:
Jayde Wardle, Benalla 31 PS; Natalee Coad, Benalla West PS; Ahren McNab, Benalla East PS; Joseph Anker, Broken Creek PS; Asha Greenhalgh, Devenish PS; Rowan Milligan, FCJ College; Patience Cooper, St Joseph’s PS; Casey Harrison, Warrenbayne PS; Gillian Deed, Bright P-12; Ben Talbot, Mt Beauty SC; Taylor Holland, Mansfield PS and Joanne Scorah, Thornton PS.

Whilst these 12 students chose to come to Parliament House, another seven award winners and their families have chosen to attend an AFL match with Dr Sykes at the MCG on 29 June this year. The award is generously co-sponsored by the Brisbane Lions Football Club and the AFL.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I look forward to following the progress of the award winners in years to come and continuing to offer the award to schools in my Electorate each year. Nomination packs will be sent to schools during Term 3.