Grafton student receives Gili Achievement Award

Friday 7th July 2006

Luke McKenna, who studied his Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in 2005, was awarded with a TAFE NSW Gili Award for Achievement in July.

In 2004, Luke completed his Certificate II in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health before going on to the Certificate IV course in 2005. As well as studying, Luke was heavily involved in organising Grafton Campus’ first Goori Health forum and working part-time as an Aboriginal Student Support Officer.

In the nomination for the Gili Award, his teacher wrote “Luke’s support and work with disadvantaged youth has achieved high outcomes by enhancing young people’s self esteem, by using the education system to increase access to opportunities for young indigenous people. In his role as relief Aboriginal Student Support Officer, Luke was praised for being “enthusiastic, encouraging and wanting to see students achieve in all areas of their lives.”