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Two Queensland Catholic school secondary students were commended for exceptional service to the community during a ceremony at Parliament House on Friday 16 September.

Mercedes Kirwin from The Cathedral College, Rockhampton, and Ella Raymond from Lourdes Hill College, Hawthorne, received recognition as part of the Secondary Schools Citizenship Awards from the Order of Australia Association, Queensland Branch.

During her spare time, Mercedes volunteers at a Rockhampton organisation that works with disadvantaged children with disabilities and she has also led many initiatives within the college Indigenous community.

Meanwhile, Ella is involved with the St Vincent De Paul Youth Program and is also a strong campaigner for Antibullying and raising mental health awareness within the community. Ella has also participated in a number of justice forums with local schools.

The awards initiative has been conducted in Queensland since 1999 to recognise the importance of community service and volunteering undertaken by young Australians.


Photo L to R – Hannah Orchard (QCEC), Stephanie Stone and Ella Raymond (Lourdes Hill College), The Honourable Chief Justice Helen Bowskill and Monil Beotra (The Cathedral College, Rockhampton) – Monil attended the ceremony on behalf of Mercedes Kirwin.

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