Alisha Conomos awarded the 2022 Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize

Former Wee Waa High School captain Alisha Conomos has been awarded the 2022 Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize for her charitable activities as well as her many sporting and academic accomplishments.

“I was extremely excited and relieved to have received the award,” Alisha told The Courier.

“It was my third year running for it, so I made sure to exaggerate to the other nominees that they should never give up on the award; just because they didn’t get it one year, doesn’t mean they won’t the next year,” she said.

Narrabri Shire mayor Ron Campbell said the Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize was established in 2007 by Thomas Hulbert in memory of his mother to encourage excellence and reward a worthy recipient.

“This prize is awarded annually to a young person aged between 15 and 18 born in the Narrabri District, who has shown outstanding achievement through their charitable work, academic or sporting achievements or has made an act of bravery or heroism,” said Cr Campbell.

This year, there were seven nominations for the highly regarded community honour.

“This is an excellent number of nominees, and we are very privileged to see so many exceptional young people,” Cr Campbell said.

“This year’s prize winner Alisha was nominated for her charitable, sporting and academic achievements as a highly committed and conscientious student.

“Alisha gives her time to a variety of charities, and her academic achievements have been recognised with excellence awards at school assemblies and presentation nights.

“She has also represented Narrabri Shire at local, regional and state levels in touch football, soccer, netball, athletics and swimming.”

Readers would be aware of Alisha’s outstanding successes and contributions, which have been featured in both the news and sports sections of the Wee Waa News over the years.

The former WWHS student scored top results in the 2021 Higher School Certificate, including a band six in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; a band six result is a mark of 90 per cent or greater.

Alisha also achieved three band fives, a band four and an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 86.8.

She is just as impressive on the sports field, and has participated at a state level five years in a row and represented North West touch football for five consecutive years.

The 17-year-old has been involved in the Pink Ribbon campaign for cancer support, Stroke Awareness Day for the Stroke Foundation, Jeans for Genes Day to assist children with birth defects and the Queen’s Baton Relay for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Cr Campbell said Alisha provides a positive and supportive contribution to the Wee Waa community, and is a deserving recipient of the Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize for 2022.

“My sincere thanks to the nominees and their families, the panel, school and council staff and the Hulbert family for providing such a generous prize that recognises and rewards the achievements of youth.

“It is a wonderful legacy in honour of Mrs Lillian Hulbert,” said Cr Campbell.

“It is an amazing opportunity that I feel honoured to have been a part of and awarded,” said Alisha.

“The whole process teaches you interview skills that can be used later in life and allows you to grow out of your comfort zone.
“It is something I will always be proud of and grateful for.”

Narrabri Shire deputy mayor Cathy Redding presented the Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize to Alisha, daughter of Cathy and Andrew Conomos, at a special ceremony at the Narrabri Shire administration building on Thursday, February 24.

There were seven applicants for the prestigious award in 2022, which also included Holli Nipperess, Martha Harvey, Ben Wheeler, Ella Tomlinson, Harry Bennett and Riley Longworth.

Previous Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize winners include Amara Grant – 2021; Sara Charles – 2020; Jenna Baxter – 2019; Dylan Dixon- 2018; April Squire – 2017; Courtney Boyd – 2016; Gemma Ferguson – 2015; Sally Maher – 2014; Emily Grellman – 2013; Erika Anderson – 2012; Thomas Vaessen – 2011; Georgia Barden – 2010; Daniel Cope – 2009; and Jonathan Cuell, who was announced as the inaugural winner of the 2008 Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize on February 25, 2008, and was awarded his medallion on March 18, 2009.