Norman B Rydge Award

Photo: In front of Government House, Sydney (l to r)Warilla High Schools Kara Newman (Y 10), Bob Pastor, Sandy Glover (Y 7), Kellie Marsh, Matthew Robson (Y 10) and Pat OShea (Red Cross Community Service Coordinator, Southern Region)

STUDENTS at Warilla High School have been awarded the Australian Red Cross prestigious Norman B Rydge Shield which is presented to the country region school which raises the most funds for the Red Cross in Regional NSW.

The award was presented last Thursday by Sir Nicholas Shehadie, AC OBE at Government House on Macquarie Street in Sydney.

The students of Warilla High School raised $8010 in March as part of the 2006 Red Cross Calling fundraising drive.

Red Cross Community Service Coordinator, Southern Region, Pat OShea said the kids had shown enormous enthusiasm toward the task.

They were absolutely amazing, Ms OShea said.

Its a huge amount (of money) they raised and I just couldnt be more proud of them.

Representing the students of Warilla High School at the award ceremony were Kara Newman and Matthew Robson from Year 10 and Sandy Glover from Year 7, together with the schools Head of Teacher/Student Services Bob Pastor and Volunteer Coordinator Kellie Marsh.

After the award ceremony, the students were treated to morning tea in the gardens of Government House.

Ms Marsh said that Warilla High School promotes and encourages students to make a difference in the community by volunteering their time and energy to help other people.

Its about all of us working together for the benefit of others, she said.

The enthusiastic and willing way in which these kids have embraced the concept of helping others creates a great foundation for building kinder, more caring communities in the future.

This award is a great celebration of the youth of Warilla High School.