- Winners of the Rob Riley Memorial Prize announced
- Archer Key and Isla Smith to receive $5,000 each for further education and training
Two outstanding Western Australian Aboriginal public school students have been recognised as winners of the 2022 Rob Riley Memorial Prize.
Education Minister Tony Buti today announced Duncraig Senior High School graduate Archer Key as the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) prize winner and Comet Bay College graduate Isla Smith as the Vocational Education and Training (VET) prize winner.
The Rob Riley Memorial Prize is named in honour of the late Aboriginal human rights advocate and recognises the top-performing Year 12 Aboriginal students in public schools each year. Recipients receive $5,000 each for further education and training.
Archer was the highest performing Aboriginal ATAR student in a public school, receiving an ATAR of 98.35. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) with a major in software engineering at the University of Western Australia.
Isla was the highest achieving Aboriginal public-school student on a VET pathway in 2022, achieving four nationally recognised qualifications in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, Workplace Skills, and Education Support. She is planning to study Physical Education and Health Studies at university next year with the aim of becoming a school teacher.
As stated by Education Minister Tony Buti:
"I congratulate both Archer and Isla as highly-deserving recipients of this prestigious award.
"Archer maintained exceptional grades throughout his schooling and has been rewarded with the opportunity to follow his passion for engineering at university.
"Isla is to be congratulated on her outstanding achievement with national qualifications and a commitment to pursue further education at university.
"I wish both students the very best in accomplishing their future goals."
