The 59th Annual Presentation of Awards ceremony was held in the Memorial Hall Home Hill on Tuesday 18 October. A large crowd of almost 300 parents, families, staff, students and invited guests from the Home Hill State High School community proudly celebrated the achievements of the student body. Over 140 awards were presented to acknowledge the numerous and extensive accomplishments of students in academic, vocational, cultural, leadership, community service and sporting fields.
The occasion was dignified with the presence of invited guests, including North QLD Regional Assistant Mrs Suzanne Currin, Burdekin Shire Councillors; Mrs Kaylee Boccolatte and Mr John Furnell, Local Representative in Federal Parliament, Mr Andrew Willcox and Mr Dale Last, Member for Burdekin. Mr David Cooper representing the Cooper Family, Mr Rod Alford, Rotary Club of Home Hill, Mrs Lyn Hutchings, President of the Lions Club of Home Hill, Mr Allan Petersen, RSL QLD Home Hill Sub Branch, Mrs Tiffany Olditch from Wilmar Sugar Australia, Mrs Chantel Michielin, Home Hill Bendigo Bank, Mrs Judy Sgarbossa, representing the Zonta Club of Burdekin Inc., Ms Hayley Somerfield representing McDonalds, and Sunwater's Mr Robert Trail. Also attending were Mrs Christine Loizou, Parents & Citizens Association President, Mr Doug Chappell, and Mrs Jo Lenz, Principal Home Hill State School.
Deputy Principal Mrs Kym Ogomeni commenced proceedings, followed by School Captains, Caitlyn Swinney and Malcolm Balmer warmly welcoming the assembly and presenting their comprehensive Valedictory on behalf on the 2022 seniors. President and Vice-Presidents of the school Student Council Executive, Hayley Minuzzo and Aaliyah Gibson reported on the many and varied activities of this year's student council. Home Hill High Principal, Mr Frank Kingma, reminded the school community of numerous achievements and challenges which have highlighted 2022. P&C President, Mrs Christine Loizou then addressed the gathering, reporting on the achievements of the P&C and wishing the year 12 group the very best for their futures.
Starting the evening, talented student David Kelly entertained the audience with his wonderful trumpet performance. After the ceremony, guests were treated to a light supper.
Congratulations to all students who received awards. Your efforts have been appreciated by your teachers. Special thanks to all guests, parents, guardians, family and friends who attended. A thank you is also extended to all the school staff who assisted in any way in the production of the evening. Many hours of work go into the preparation, which then ensures the smooth running of the ceremony.
SPECIAL AWARDS & BURSARIES
Rotary Club Home Hill Inc Shield (Year 9 Dux): Grace Ogomeni
Ampol Best All Rounder: Caitlyn Swinney
Dale Cooper Memorial Bursary (Year 9 English): Christiana Bugeja
Dale Last MP Community Service Award Jacob Machin
NQ AUSImm Bursary (Year 11): Martina Bojack
Bendigo Bank Accounting Award (Year 12): Aaliyah Gibson
Zonta Girl's Science Encouragement Award (Year 10): Saelym White
McDonald's Award (year 12 ISK): Neo Thompson
(Year 9/10 FDS): Tayah Gibson
Dawson Medal: Malcolm Balmer
Burdekin Art Society Award: Sevanna Finn
Sharni Smerdon
TAFE at Schools Award: Austin Davenport
JCU Encouragement Awards (Year 10): Asha Christensen
Mitchell Cooke
Senior Cultural Award: Hayley Minuzzo
Junior Cultural Award: Christiana Bugeja
Home Hill RSL Sub-Branch Award: Lucy Young
Sunwater Agribusiness Award: Rina Patane
The Sunwater Agribusiness Bursaries (yr 7-9): Isabell Arthur
The Sunwater Agribusiness Bursaries (yrs 10-12): Martina Bojack
Travis Crichton
Don McDowell Sportsperson of the Year: Liam Todeschino
The Australian Olympic Change Maker Program
(Formerly the Pierre de Coubertin Award) Liam Todeschino
ADF Leadership & Teamwork Awards (Year 10): Tayah Gibson
(Year 12): Hayley Minuzzo
ADF Future Innovators Award (Year 10): Sean Phayre-Leung
(Year 12): Caitlyn Swinney
Indigenous Pride Award: Ryland Palmer
Heidi Luhrs
Junior Secondary School Captains: Christiana Bugeja &
Cruz Torkington
Junior Secondary Principal's Representatives: Grayson Potter-Geitz
Indigenous School Captain: Heidi Luhrs
School Captains Awards: Caitlyn Swinney &
Malcolm Balmer
Student Council Executive:
Hayley Minuzzo, Aaliyah Gibson, Marnie Skipper, Liam Todeschino
Rotary Club of Home Hill Inc Community Service Award:
Malcolm Balmer, Aaliyah Gibson, Hayley Minuzzo, Caitlyn Swinney, Liam Todeschino, Ohran White, Marnie Skipper
Leadership Awards:
Malcolm Balmer, Zoe Branch, Aaliyah Gibson, Heidi Luhrs, Hayley Minuzzo, Jade Nicolson, Marnie Skipper, Caitlyn Swinney, Liam Todeschino