Ellie serves community at Trafalgar High School

Trafalgar High School has awarded its annual community service award to year 11 student Ellie De Van Der Schueren.

The award recognised Ellie for her consistent contribution to the school community, especially in the performing arts.

She was presented the award as part of the school senior awards presentation assembly held at the school gymnasium.

Dorothy Hoare OAM was unable to present the award in person due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, Ms Hoare was able to announce Ellie as the recipient by video message.

Ellie’s contributions include running a lunchtime and after-school drama club and supporting fundraising for international student trips in 2018 and 2019.

"In 2021, Ellie will be a student representative on the school curriculum committee,” Trafalgar High School principal Jane Mersey announced as she presented the shield.

Each year, Trafalgar High School presents a community service award in Ms Hoare’s name in recognition of her massive contribution to the community of Trafalgar.

Ms Hoare was a foundation member of Trafalgar Lioness Club in 1980 and over her time in the club served in roles including president and secretary.

She was the inaugural chairman of the Trafalgar Youth Resource Centre and now, 23 years later, remains an active committee member. She also spent two years on the Trafalgar Community Development Association and, after retiring from the nursing profession in 1992, returned to the health sector as a volunteer on the Baw Baw Latrobe Primary Care Partnership’s community advisory committee for four years.