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Echuca student awarded medal for literary excellence

By Ryan Bellingham

Nov 25, 2024

Echuca Twin Rivers Primary School Year 6 student Skye Hope won a state literary award. Photo by Supplied

A student from Echuca Twin Rivers Primary School has been recognised at state level for her creative writing skills.

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Year 6 student Skye Hope received a NAIDOC Week Medal of Excellence for a poem submitted to the initiative’s Primary School Creative Writing Competition this year.

Only 25 students in Victoria received the award, which was judged by a NAIDOC Week patron, Aboriginal Elders and agency delegates.

Learning specialist and Year 5/6 teacher Nat Harvey said Skye’s poem was about the significance of culture and made clever use of repetition.

A copy of Skye's award-winning poem, titled My Voice, My Culture. Photo by Supplied

Ms Harvey said Skye, who wasn’t aware she had been chosen for the prize, was thrilled to receive the award.

“We didn’t tell her about it until the assembly when she was announced as the winner. She was very excited,” Ms Harvey said.

Skye being presented with her medal of excellence by Ms Hommelhoff. Photo by Supplied

Skye was among a handful of recipients statewide of the award.

The initiative’s aim is to provide children with a greater understanding of the importance of friendship and cultural diversity.

“It’s culturally important to our Indigenous students and their families,” Ms Harvey said.

“It develops understanding and awareness by all of our students about the importance of recognising First Nations people in our community and Australia in general.”

Skye has also been recognised for her acting talent, winning the Best Young Actress Award in June at the London Independent Film Awards for her role in Loki and Me.

She is set to star in the upcoming short film Blind Freedom, which began filming in June.