Ellen Jose bursary winners

Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Ellen Jose Bursary - Paige Ward from Hampton Primary School, Alice Sharpe from Black Rock Primary School, Tamia Manmurulu from St Leonards College and Emma Esler of Haileybury College. 

Each winner was awarded their $500 prize at a ceremony at the Council Corporate Centre on Saturday.

The awards celebrate the life of Torres Strait Elder Ellen Jose. Ellen Jose was a long-time resident of Bayside who passed away in 2017.

The awards program asked students to share ‘What reconciliation means through your eyes’, reflecting Ellen Jose’s inspirational commitment to building awareness of reconciliation in Bayside and beyond.

Primary school students were invited to create an artwork that reflects ‘What Reconciliation Means through your eyes’.

Secondary school students ere encouraged write an essay or poem that reflects ‘What Reconciliation Means through your eyes’.

Two $500 prizes were be awarded in each category.

The top ten artworks and the top ten writing pieces are on display at the Bayside Corporate Centre, 76 Royal Avenue Sandringham during National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June.

A record crowd gathered to celebrate the start of National Reconciliation Week on Saturday at the annual flag raising ceremony.

The original people of Bayside are the Boon Wurrung represented by Elder Carolyn Briggs who, together with Dr Joe Toscano, husband of Torres Strait Islander Elder the late Ellen Jose, and family, raised the flags on the Council forecourt.

Find out more about our draft Reconciliation Action Plan.