Year 11 student, Jamie-Anne Madigan was presented with the Fr James Wall Bursary at the Mandurah Catholic College’s opening mass on Friday.
The highly-regarded honour is awarded to a catholic secondary school student who demonstrates outstanding leadership in a range of areas including science, the arts, public speaking, sporting activities, community service and social justice activities.
Jamie-Anne is the first recipient in the Bunbury diocese and one of only six throughout Australia in 2018.
The bursaries are sponsored by the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) to assist with school fees and expenses in Years 11 and 12.
Deputy principal of pastoral care Mary-Anne Reynolds said Jamie-Anne was a natural born leader.
“If there is an issue that Jamie feels strongly about she will canvas the College leadership,” she said.
“She is a person who definitely makes a difference, in her own quiet but determined manner. Students respect Jamie because she is authentic and inclusive.”
Jamie-Anne is active in all areas of the college and community.
She participates in various sports and is involved in arts events, volunteers with several community and college groups and achieves academically, but her passion is her exemplary service to the college and the wider community.
The hard-working and committed teenager is a founding member of the college’s Social Justice Committee and has represented the college at St Vincent de Paul leadership camps and the Catholic Youth Summit.
“It is obvious that she just wants to better the environment she is in, in any way she can,” Mrs Reynolds said.
“Jamie-Anne has an active social conscience and her energy and passion for justice is inspiring. She is an excellent role model and is motivated by the Gospel values of compassion, service to others and humility.”