Two members of the Bishop Druitt College community were nominated for awards at the 2020 Grace Roberts Community Awards. Jonah Bedford, a Year 12 student, was nominated for and won the Youth of the Year Award. Kristy Hart, a Teacher Aide, was a finalist for the Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award. 

The awards were presented by Coffs Harbour City Council and the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee during a virtual event wrapping up a full week of NAIDOC Week events. 

The Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards acknowledge individuals who, like Aunty Grace Roberts, have made a significant contribution to enhancing the quality of life of Aboriginal people in the Coffs Harbour area. 

‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nick Johnstone, the Principal of Bishop Druitt College for this nomination. I acknowledge the contribution that Aunty Grace gave to this community, and the Elders of this community who worked alongside Aunty Grace. We had instilled in us when we were children to be respectful to our Elders, they were the ones who showed us the rights and wrongs of life. Today we need more than ever to nurture our youth to be respectful, to be able to live in a constantly changing community and to give them values and opportunities needed to survive in today’s world.’ Kristy Hart, Teacher Aide at Bishop Druitt College. 

Congratulations to Jonah and Kristy on their achievements. 

Pictured from left: Jonah Bedford, Kristy Hart.