FRANKSTON High School Student and School Captain Reece Pellow has won the 2016 Annual Roy Ward Prize, one of two awards presented by the Order of Australia Association, Mornington Peninsula Regional Group.
The prize is granted to a secondary student in years 11 or 12, who has shown, both in his or her school, qualities of character, leadership and community service, which exemplify Australian citizenship, over an extended period.
Nominations were sent to 29 Schools in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
All submissions were of a very high standard and illustrated the depth of talent and commitment of young people in the region.
The selection panel’s unanimously decided the submission from Reece Pellow and his impressiveness during the selection interview, warranted his selection as the 2016 Roy Ward Prize winner.
His submission highlights included Reece’s leadership roles at Frankston High School from year 9 through to becoming school captain this year, and participation in the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award, a leader and team member in Frankston High School’s World Challenge Trip to India, participating in village life and improvements in several locations across India.
Reece has hands on experience in living with people with disability and special needs. His commitment to service to others extends beyond the activities organised by the school with Reece intimately involved in Riding for the Disabled at Mornington Racecourse and “busking” to raise money for The Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia.
The money raised has been used to widen the organisation’s services and buy specialised equipment.
Reece has been training assistance dogs for the past 24 months and has been a speaker at Monash University to the third year nursing and paramedic students and at the Australian Centre for Grief on the topic of “what it is like growing up with a disabled sister”.
The Order of Australia Association, Mornington Peninsula Group is grateful for the support of Spowers Architects in their sponsorship of the School Awards Program.
Allan Pizzey AM