20/10/00Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Kim Hames today praised the commitment to reconciliation shown by school students throughout Western Australia.Dr Hames said all the students who had taken part in the Aboriginal Affairs Department’s Schools’ Essay and Poster Competition were a credit to WA and showed their commitment to strengthening the bonds between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community.The Minister was speaking at the presentation ceremony for the prize-winners in the Aboriginal Affairs Department’s 2000 Schools’ Essay and Poster Competition, ‘Breaking down the barriers between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians’.Students from St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School and Iona Presentation College took the lion’s share of the prizes, winning first prize in four of the five categories.Ben Taylor, from Tambellup Primary School, bucked the trend winning first prize in the Year 1-3 Picture with Story category.Emily Webb-Smith, of Dongara District High School, was also singled out to win the Minister’s Special Reconciliation Prize.“The prize-winners gathered here today are just the tip of the iceberg,” Dr Hames said.“While there have to be winners in any competition, all the children who have taken part deserve to be congratulated for their efforts.“The number of entries also tells me that there are dedicated teachers out there who have gone the extra mile to teach their students about Aboriginal history.“The terrific response of this competition shows the tremendous will of Western Australian students - and their teachers - to learn more about Aboriginal heritage and culture.“Through your entries, you have shown that reconciliation is not only a worthwhile goal, but a realistic one as well.”The 2000 Schools’ Essay and Poster Competition was part sponsored by Ansett Australia, Emerald Hotel, Perth Expohire and Furniture Group, and Westrail.Media contacts:Sandy Gater, Minister’s office, 9424 7455 AAD: Karin Mac Arthur on 9235 8031 2000 SCHOOLS’ ESSAY AND POSTER COMPETITION
PRIZE-WINNERS
MINISTER’S SPECIAL RECONCILIATION PRIZEEmily Webb-Smith, Year Three, Dongara District High School, DongaraPICTURE WITH STORY - YEAR 1- 3First Prize: Ben Taylor, Tambellup Primary School, TambellupSecond Prize: Crystal Peel, Mandurah Primary School, MandurahThird Prize: Arlen Taylor-White, White Gum Valley Primary School, White Gum ValleyCommendations: Malcolm Aldam, St Joseph’s Primary, BusseltonAnna Sangmeister, Vasse Primary School, Vasse Bryce Sceresini, Mt Hawthorn Junior Primary School, Mt HawthornPOSTER - YEAR 4-7First Prize: Dominque Rae, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, KarrinyupSecond Prize: Chris Brook, Vasse Primary School, VasseThird Prize: Hannah Lockley, Yuluma Primary School, Innaloo Commendations:Corey Wiltshire, Dryanda Primary School, Mirrabooka Chloe Agale, St Cecilia’s Primary School, Port HedlandRebekah Martin, South Ballajura Primary, BallajuraPOSTER - YEAR 8-10First Prize: Erin Murphy, Iona Presentation College, Mosman ParkSecond Prize: Qian Yang, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, Third Prize: Sanchia Stowe, St Hilda’s Anglican School, Mosman Park Commendations:Crystal Chan, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, KarrinyupMichelle Peake, Iona Presentation College, Mosman ParkESSAY - YEAR 4-7First Prize: Lucy Johnston, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, KarrinyupSecond Prize: Miranda Crouch, St Thomas Primary School, ClaremontThird Prize: Vanessa Tufilli, Mel Maria Catholic Primary School, Attadale Commendations:Jasmin Last, Melville Primary SchoolBen Ansell, Melville Primary SchoolLouise Barr, Nedlands Primary SchoolESSAY - YEAR 8-10First Prize: Melissa Forlano, Iona Presentation College, Mosman ParkSecond Prize: Christopher Glenn, Jon XXIII College, Mt ClaremontThird Prize: Laura Summerlin, St Hilda’s, Mosman Park Commendations:Brynn Horner, Governor Stirling Senior High School, MidlandKarolina Koszelski, Iona Presentation College, Mosman ParkCraig Gregson, Governor Stirling Senior High School, Midland. 
