Education Minister Liz Constable today presented Albany Senior High School graduate Neil Graham with the 2009 Rob Riley Memorial Prize.

Visiting Albany to present the award, Dr Constable said the prize - named in honour of the late indigenous human rights advocate - was awarded to the year’s outstanding indigenous student and acknowledged efforts in Year 12 studies.

“Neil is to be congratulated on his hard work and dedication - his efforts serve as an inspiration to his fellow students and friends,” she said.

“This prize acknowledges the academic achievements of young indigenous people in public schools and is also designed to foster excellence in indigenous education and training. Neil is a very worthy winner.”

The Minister said Neil, who achieved the highest Curriculum Council score of any public school indigenous Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE) student in 2009, would receive $5,000 for further education and training to prepare him for his chosen career.

The award follows other achievements in his schooling years, including his selection for the 2008 Premier’s ANZAC Student Tour to France and Belgium.

Neil said he planned to use the prize money to help with university fees.

“I’m interested in studying Commerce and Engineering - economics was my favourite subject last year,” Neil said.

“At this stage I would like to build a career in the resources or construction sectors.”

Neil also studied Applicable Mathematics, Calculus, Chemistry, English and Physics.

While in Albany, Dr Constable also visited Little Grove Primary School and Great Southern Grammar School.