Young Western Australians triumph over life's challenges

Thirteen Western Australian teenagers in foster care have been awarded up to $4,000 each from the State Government to help them pursue their dreams of becoming a scientist, photographer, nurse, fitness instructor, social worker and entrepreneur.

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney today presented recipients with Ida Curtois Achiever Awards, which help promote the value of post-secondary education and training among children in care and encourage them to achieve academic success.

Named in honour of former foster carer and past president of the Foster Care Association of WA, Ida Curtois, the awards were created in 1990 and had so far helped more than 90 young people in WA pursue their goals.

"These awards are given each year to young people up to the age of 25 years who have been in foster care and who have, in spite of the difficulties they have faced, persevered with their education," Mrs McSweeney said at the ceremony at Parliament House. 

"The Ida Curtois program, run by the Department for Child Protection, provides financial assistance and encouragement to young people who have successfully remained at school and who intend pursuing further study or training."

The Minister said students progressing to university or TAFE, as well as those entering apprenticeships or traineeships, were eligible for the awards.

"All of the applicants this year were of a very high standard and it was with great difficulty judges chose just three to be the recipients of the Inspirational Award," she said.

"All of today's award winners have shown tremendous tenacity and their ability to remain focused and goal-oriented in spite of life's challenges will no doubt see them do well in all their future endeavours." 

Ida Curtois Achiever Awards 2009 recipients

University Achiever Award

Rebecca Kristanti - Carine

Technical and Further Education Achiever Award

Helen Haydon - Landsdale

Name not for publication - Warwick

Janice James - South Perth

Cassandra Murray-McCoy - Kondinin

Rachael Sewell - Woodvale 

Lee-anne Lee - Albany

Danika Christie - Karratha

Natasha Dale - Cooloongup

Name not for publication - Erskine

Apprenticeship or Traineeship Achiever Award

John Baillie - Koondoola

Christopher Keen - Duncraig

Jarryd Sewell -  Woodvale

Ida Curtois Inspirational Award

Name not for publication - Warwick

Jarryd Sewell - Woodvale

John Baillie - Koondoola