Yass High School was one of 13 schools that was visited by three of Australia's most inspiring people on Thursday morning, as part of the Australian of the Year Awards Tour of Honour, hosted by the NSW Australia Day Council.
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The tour began on Wednesday and concludes today. Students and teachers were introduced to filmmaker Genevieve Clay-Smith, the 2015 NSW Young Australian the Year, the Wayside Chapel’s Rev Graham Long, 2014 NSW Local Hero and former rugby league footballer Corey Payne, recipient of the 2013 NSW Young Australian of the Year.
NSW Australia Day Council Chairman, Angelos Frangopoulos, said the Tour of Honour was a chance for the Award recipients to meet everyday Australians, visit rural communities and to talk with school students.
“The Tour of Honour is a great chance for young people to hear from inspiring Australians and to share their own stories with these mentors,” Mr Frangopoulos said.
“Equally, we find the Award recipients enjoy these tours immensely because it takes them into communities to meet a wide range of people and to see what’s happening around NSW.”
Yass High School principal Sandra Hiscock said that it was a great opportunity for the kids to meet these inspirational people.
“They are great role models for our students to aspire to,” she said.
“We try to inspire kids at school everyday and push them out of their comfort zones but they are able to hear for themselves from people other than their teachers new ideas and different directions their lives can take.”
Mr Frangopoulos said they were pleased to be able to bring these extraordinary Australians to rural communities and schools and, with nominations for the 2016 Australian of the Year Awards closing on Monday August 3.
“It’s a timely reminder for people to tell us who they think is worthy of recognition in the next Awards by nominating someone who deserves attention,” he said.
The Australian of the Year Awards rely on nominations from members of the public to find the four Award recipients: Australian of the Year Senior Australian of the Year (65 years and over) Young Australian of the Year (16-30 years) Australia’s Local Hero Nominations for the 2016 Australian of the Year Awards will close on Monday 3 August 2015.
Have your say on who should be considered for the 2016 Australian of the Year Awards by submitting a nomination at australianoftheyear.org.au or call 1300 655 193 for more information.
