A GROUP of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students were recognised through the City of Mandurah’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) last Thursday.
From 2012-2014, six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students were offered $1000 grants through the Student Aspiration and Incentive Program which is a financial incentive established through RAP.
The program looks to build aspirations and develop the potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from low-income families in government schools.
This year six students received grants from the City and one student carried over their grant from last year.
Coodanup Community College student Jayden Quartermain, 16, Halls Head Communtiy College students Zackery Phillips, 15, Shannon Collopy, 16, and Dakota Holder, 17, and John Tonkin College student Shannon Chirgwin, 15, were all recognised.
John Tonkin College student Tiegan Eades and Coodanup Community College’s Alex Winwood were also part of the grant, but were not present on the day.
Dakota said the money has been beneficial and helped her in tough times.
“I used the money to go to things like the school ball and to graduate,” she said.
“I want to go to TAFE or university and study radio and sound in the next two years."