Prestigious Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize awarded

Two accomplished local young men were short-listed for this year’s Lillian Hulbert Memorial Prize and the winner was announced on Friday.

Jesse Weekes and William Ford’s achievements qualified them as worthy finalists for the prestigious $10,000 prize.

Faced with two outstanding candidates, the assessment panel’s decision was difficult but ultimately Jesse Weekes was chosen as the 2023 winner.

Jesse’s $10,000 cash prize will be invested on his behalf and held in trust until his 21st birthday with the funds to be used at his discretion to further his career.

The generous annual bequest from the Hulbert family was established by Thomas Hulbert in 2007 in memory of the late Lillian Hulbert and each year has gone to a young Narrabri district person who has demonstrated commitment, contribution and achievement in the community in sporting or academic areas, voluntary work, the arts or other endeavours.

Friday’s award ceremony was chaired by shire councillor Brett Dickinson and attended by the finalists’ family members and several of the assessment panel which comprises community leaders from local schools and churches.

The award winner, Narrabri High School Year 12 student Jesse, is considering a teaching career, a choice he said had largely been informed by his positive experience and mentoring by his teachers throughout his school years.

In his acceptance speech, Jesse thanked his ‘teachers and family who had shaped him’, particularly acknowledging Narrabri High School community liaison officer David Pierce for his mentoring and encouragement.

“Jesse Weekes was nominated for his contribution to charitable activities and academic achievement,” the assessment panel said.

“This year, he was voted in as school captain and has represented the school at Vietnam Veterans’ Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

“Jesse is a member of the 1st Narrabri West Scout Group – in which he has been involved since age six.

“Jesse has co-hosted a show at the Narrabri Community 2MAX FM Radio Station and assisted in running Narrabri High School’s weekly ‘Narrabri High Half Hour’ radio show for the past three years.

“He is currently involved in the Youth Mental Health Podcast Project and is an active Narrabri Shire Youth Council member. Jesse loves being a role model and leader for other youth.”

St Mary’s College senior high school student William Ford was nominated for his sports and charitable achievements, the panel said.

“He excels in cricket and has contributed to the community as Junior Rugby Carnival referee from 2019-2022, is 2023 assistant coach, Narrabri Junior Rugby Under 8s, he is a volunteer,

All Abilities Cricket at GS Kidd Memorial School Gunnedah and is 2022/2023 junior vice president of Narrabri District Cricket Association.

“For several years, William has been a role model and mentor to the younger cricket and rugby union players. He is always willing to help others by sharing his skills and dedicates his time to ensuring that others have the same opportunity to play sports across the shire. William consistently demonstrates good sportsmanship and teamwork and has, most recently, stepped up to become involved in running the Narrabri District Cricket Association, where he is the youngest office bearer. In 2018/2019, William was awarded the RSL Cricket Junior Sportsman of the Year, and in 2021 received the St Mary’s College Sports Service Award for Cricket.”