Student Agency & Growth 

New House Patrons

On behalf of the Student Voice and Leadership Team, I am pleased to announce that our houses from 2024 onwards will be:

TONER HOUSE 

House Patron: Pauline Toner 

The first female Cabinet member of Victoria, Pauline Toner was an advocate for the environment, community services, young people and education. She was a passionate campaigner and instigator of the Eltham Copper Butterfly Reserve, which is now named in her honour.

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SKIPPER HOUSE

House Patron: Sonia Skipper

Sonia Skipper was a prolific artist and painter with works featured in collections across Australia. As the daughter of founding members of Montsalvat, she was responsible for constructing the barn at Montsalvat and completed several of the carvings in the main Montsalvat building. Sonia's legacy represents the shift towards recognising the contributions of female artists at Montsalvat. 

PAKANA HOUSE

House Patron: Uncle Charles Pakana

Uncle Charles Pakana is an Indigenous Australian journalist and Head of Victorian Aboriginal News. He has worked extensively within mental health awareness and advocating for widespread acceptance for those with mental health issues. Uncle Charles is an active member of the Eltham community and comes to speak with Year 12s every year about Indigenous Australians. Pakana is a Palawa word that comes from the north of Tasmania and refers to the Indigenous people of the area. 

EVERARD HOUSE

House Patron: William Everard

William (Bill) Everard represented this district in the Legislative Assembly for many years. We believe it’s important to retain Everard House to recognise the ongoing support from the Everard family through the W H Everard Award for Social and Environmental Responsibility. 

Young Women Leaders of Nillumbik Awards 2024

Nillumbik Youth have just opened nominations for the Young Women Leaders of Nillumbik Awards for 2024. Could I please ask you share this information with staff, students, and parents. 

The aim of the Young Women Leaders of Nillumbik Awards are to recognise and celebrate the contribution of young women in Nillumbik to their communities. Nominations for 2024 will be accepted across the following categories:

1. Nillumbik Young Woman of the Year – Young women making a difference and leading change in Nillumbik
2. Young Creative Leader – Young women using creative arts to represent, motivate and inspire community
3. Young Sports Leader – Young women who lead and inspire others to participate in sport and physical activity
4. Young Gender Equity Leader – Young women championing gender equity, wellbeing and freedom from violence for every girl, woman and gender diverse person.
5. Young Climate Action Leader – Young women who lead initiatives and support others to do work in the environment, sustainability and climate action spaces.
6. Young Community Leader – Young women working towards making a difference for a specific community or cause.

All women aged 12-25 who live, work, study, volunteer or play in Nillumbik and have made an outstanding contribution to our community are invited to self-nominate. Friends, family, and others in a young person's life can also nominate a deserving individual. 

Nominations close on Friday 15 December 2023 and the awards will be presented at Nillumbik's International Women's Day event in March 2024.

For more information and to submit a nomination: nillumbik.vic.gov.au/young-women-leaders

LAUREN MCNALLY, Student Growth and Agency