Port Hedland local Georgie Rose has recently been recognised as the EdConnect Pilbara Mentor of the Year award recipient for her work mentoring local students at Port Hedland Senior High School.
The Pilbara Mentor program is an initiative of the Hanrine Foundation delivered by EdConnect Australia.
Georgie was announced as the 2023 Pilbara Mentor of the Year Award recipient at the EdConnect WA awards ceremony on Wednesday 20th March 2024 at the Mt Lawley Bowling Club. Georgie flew to Perth to attend the event in person.
“I began mentoring with EdConnect in 2021. I think everyone’s approach to mentoring is different. For me, I spend the first couple of weeks speaking to them and getting to know them,” she said.
“Mentoring is different for every student, you just have to be adaptable. We just spend time together, you aren’t told how to do it. You develop what works best between you and your person. By the end of the year, you have a pretty strong relationship with the student, it’s special” she finished.
To present the award, Sonya McLeod from the Hanrine Foundation attended the event.
“The Hanrine Foundation supports initiatives that improve options and enable students to excel in their chosen career path. Students face unique challenges in the Pilbara, and the work that mentors like Georgie do makes a real difference to their lives and improves the chance that they will remain in school,” Sonya said.
The annual EdConnect Australia Volunteer Awards is an event to celebrate the extraordinary volunteer effort which is the lifeblood of EdConnect Australia – with volunteers giving their time to the education and learning of primary and secondary students in Western Australia.
EdConnect CEO Michael Pailthorpe expressed his gratitude towards all EdConnect volunteers, emphasising the vital role they play in supporting students, teachers and schools in Western Australia.
“The EdConnect Annual awards acknowledge and celebrate the dedication and commitment of over 600 volunteers in 176 schools in Western Australia who provide vital mentoring and learning support to over 10,000 young people,” he said.
For more information about the EdConnect volunteering opportunities contact edconnect@edconnect.org.au or call 1800 668 550.