Over 260 people gathered at NRL Cowboys House for the 2018 Awards Night to celebrate the achievements of the 50 Indigenous young men residing there.
NRL Cowboys House is managed by Cowboys Community Foundation and has been operating for two years as a joint initiative between the National Rugby League, North Queensland Cowboys, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government.
Sponsors, partners and Friends of the House, patrons and supporters, partner schools, ambassadors, volunteers, service providers and members of the local community watched on as each individual student was congratulated for their efforts this year.
Master of Ceremonies and Cowboys community ambassador Ray Thompson welcomed special guests to present awards to students for outstanding achievements, before each student was awarded with a medal.
• Mateship Award: Colin Aruba
• Leadership Award: Hakeem Peter & Rashaan Gibson
• Junior Sports Award: Riley Waia-Dau
• Senior Sports Award: Japheth Mundraby
• Most Improved Boarders: Charles Roughsey, Jarvis George & Jeremy Logan
• Most Outstanding Junior Boarder: Brody Ah Kit
• Most Outstanding Senior Boarder: Gary Tom
• Head of Boarding Man of the House Award: Anderson Medwin & Kium Roughsey
• Custodian of the House: April Gela
• Chunbahmah Music Award: Aaron Warria
• Most Outstanding Junior Academic: George Abednego & Zayryn Rosendale
• Most Outstanding Senior Academic: Simeon Namok
• Education Manager's Encouragement Award: Vincent Edwards-Deakin & Ruhkoa Ah Mat-Mona
• Special Achievement Award: Elijah Logan
• Community House Spirit Award: Tekelu Mene
The evening was also an opportunity to thank and acknowledge the contributions for staff and volunteers who contribute to the development of the students.
Cowboys Community Foundation director Fiona Pelling spoke of the commitment by staff to the students.
"We are so fortunate to have so many dedicated staff here who truly believe in the purpose of the House and the young people it supports."
The House, which is an innovative solution to accommodation, provides a holistic and culturally safe model of care with a choice of education options for students and their families.
"Over 15 communities are represented by the young men here who strive to be their best in areas of education, personal development and in their extra-curricular activities and achievements," Ms Pelling said.
The boys will return to their home communities for the Christmas break and will arrive again in 2019 for the start of the school year.
