Taylah sends good mail to peers
TOOWOOMBA teenager Taylah Edwards hopes she can help young indigenous people into good jobs after she was recognised for her achievements at the NAIDOC Week Awards dinner.
The 18-year-old was among about 80 people who celebrated the high achievers and hard workers within Toowoomba's indigenous community at the City Golf Club on Saturday night.
Miss Edwards won the trainee of the year award for completing her high school-based traineeship and certificate III in retail with Australia Post at the end of last year.
She has since gained full-time employment in customer service at Australia Post and now mentors a school-based trainee following in her footsteps.
"It gave me people skills," Miss Edwards said.
"I used to be pretty shy."
She said it was great to sit down and have dinner while her peers were recognised for their hard work.
"It goes to show the community does appreciate what they do."
NAIDOC Week committee member Trish Cochrane said people like Queensland Health worker Tony Saunders, who won the service to the community award, went beyond the call of their normal working life to help indigenous people in need.
"He goes out of his way to help families out," Miss Cochrane said.
She said Saturday night's dinner was a nice way to bring successful NAIDOC Week celebrations to a close.
"We had a good attendance at all of the events."
Achievement
Toowoomba NAIDOC Award winners
- Junior Education - Nykiah Duncan and Madeline Holborn
- Senior Education - Christine Mills-Kelly
- Junior Sportsperson - BJ Oates (swimming)
- Senior Sportsperson - Josh Duncan (rugby league)
- Trainee of the Year - Taylah Edwards
- Service to Community - Tony Saunders
- Lifetime Achievement - Aunty Joyce McCarthy
