Chad Lollback wins 2021 Clontarf Award

Detective Inspector Paul Quigg, Constable Gavin Campbell, David Lollback, Tracey Lollback, Ben Delanty, Tash Leahy, Chad Lollback, Jonny Lollback, Lakayla Leahy, Michael McDowell, Danika Leahy, Patrick Edwards, Mitch Sheffield and Reuben Kelly-Barker at the Clontarf Award presentation at Coolican Oval. PHOTO TWH

Year 9 student, Chad Lollback, is Bourke High School’s Clontarf Foundation Award winner for 2021.

Chad received his award at a special ceremony conducted at Coolican Oval last week, attended by a limited number of community representatives and Chad’s closest family, due to COVID restrictions.

The distinguished award acknowledges achievement in school attendance, academic engagement, training, and participation in tasks designed to develop life skills.

The 2021 NRL Premiers – the Penrith Panthers, CatholicCare Wilcannia Forbes, Central North Police District and All Glass Awards are all proud sponsors of the Award.

Central North Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Paul Quigg, has been involved with the Clontarf Foundation Academy in Bourke for almost three years and said the combined partnerships involved with this program creates a unique opportunity for many Indigenous students.

“Anywhere across country New South Wales, Aboriginal and Indigenous schoolchildren live and breathe for one thing – rugby league. Rugby league is their heart and soul.

“’If we didn’t have footy out here, we’d have nothing’ according to the students.

“Through rugby league, the Clontarf Foundation aims to improve the education, discipline, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in the Bourke community,” Inspector Quigg said.

The Clontarf Foundation commenced at Bourke High School in 2012 and in 2021 has a total of 50 students undertaking the Clontarf program.

“The program uses the existing passions which the students have for rugby league and sport, to attract them to school and to keep the boys continuing to attend school.

“It’s not just a sporting program, it’s about developing the values, skills and abilities that will help these young men gain meaningful employment, make better decisions and achieve a purposeful life.

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!