John Lincoln Youth Service Award 2018

In 1992 the late Dr John Lincoln AM, on behalf of New South Wales, created a new initiative for young people to be awarded the Youth Community Service Awards. Each year 20 candidates are selected and honoured at a special ceremony at Government House in Sydney.

In 2018, a Hills Original joined the ranks of the recipients. Talja Coleman, Year 12, was honoured at the event in Government House last Friday evening in recognition of her outstanding contribution to not only our School community, but NSW more broadly. Talja’s contributions were numerous and include; being awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh, spending five days supporting Children in New Caledonia and working with disadvantaged children through Northcott events and the Westmead Children’s Hospital. How she has already contribute so much in such a short space of time is remarkable and a testament to her character.

The award bestowed upon Talja fittingly espouses the values of Hills Grammar; Respect for all in the community, Integrity to guide our actions for the betterment of others rather than the self, Service to give back to our community and Excellence in the unwavering commitment to each group supported through her efforts.

On behalf of the Hills Grammar community I would like to thank Talja for her selflessness and willingness to improve the lives of others. I would also like to thank Talja’s parents for their ongoing support to facilitate her community engagement. It was a privilege to represent the Hills community at this most auspicious of occasion.

The words spoken by David Hurley, Governor of NSW, encapsulate the sentiment that we should all take from this event. “Millennials are often accused of being lazy and lacking in desire to serve beyond their own interests, however, the achievements of these students represent that the future of our nation, while in different hands, is in safe hands nonetheless”.  Who will be the next Hills Original to follow in Talja’s footsteps?