IF YOU know a high school student who has shown great strength by overcoming adversity then you should nominate them for the 2016 Natalie Burton Memorial Award.
Hawkesbury girl Natalie Burton went to St Monica’s Catholic Primary and was dux of Colo High School. She went on to get first class honours in both science and veterinary science at university and also studied epidemiology at Cornell University in the US.
She came home to the Hawkesbury after being diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour in 1996 and had to undergo highly invasive brain surgery and radiation.
She climbed in the Himalayas and cycled around Australia but died in March, 2003 at the age of 32.
The purpose of the award is to provide a means of allowing Natalie’s life and her extraordinary achievements to inspire students to overcome adversity in their own lives.
Hawkesbury City Council is calling for nominations for the annual award on behalf of the Burton, Turner and Lawrance families.
Residents are encouraged to nominate any high school student who lives in the Hawkesbury who they feel is a worthy recipient. The successful party will get a trophy and $200.
Natalie’s mother Elizabeth Turner said the award was intended for a recipient who has faced a challenging circumstance and has overcome the problem to succeed. “It could be a disability, illness, serious accident, loss of a family member or other situation,” Ms Turner said.
The success is not restricted to academic achievement; it may take the form of community, sporting or general achievements and improvements.
Nominations for the Natalie Burton Award are now open. Nomination forms are available online www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au or at Council Administration Building, 366 George Street, Windsor, Richmond Branch Library and Hawkesbury Central Library at Windsor or by calling 4560 4430.
Nominations close 5pm Friday, September 23.
