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The Henry Parkes Civic Action Awards grew out of the success of the Margaret Parkes Federation Awards, introduced in 2001 as part of the contribution of the Henry Parkes Foundation to the development of citizenship in young people during the Centenary of Federation year.

2005 AWARDS

The 2005 Henry Parkes Foundation's Civic Action Awards were conducted with primary school students in years 5-6. The awards were for a group research project which explores and acts on a community issue relating to any or all of the three levels of government (federal, state, local). To take part student groups submitted a report of their research.

The awards were judged by a panel from the Henry Parkes Foundation and the Parliamentary Education and Community Relations Section of the New South Wales Parliament.

The 2005 recipients were from St Ives North Public School. Issues explored by the students included graffiti, dog excrement and road safety.

The students' action research was conducted under the guidance of teachers and co-ordinated by Ms Di Barnes.Ms Barnes applauded the work of the Foundation in offering students the opportunity to tackle real life issues.

"The Parkes Foundation Civic Action Awards give our students the opportunity to put into practice what they've learnt formally. They are challenged to come up with a solution to their issues. The students are really challenged!" she said.

Each participating student from St Ives North Public School was presented with a Henry Parkes Foundation Commemorative Certificate. Over 90 certificates were presented by Mr Andrew Humpherson, MP and Member for Davidson, and Ms Mary Gray PSM, Advisor, Henry Parkes Foundation. Andrew Humpherson was well aware of the students' work as many had written to him seeking information on their selected topic and giving him the results of their investigations.

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Contact Daniela Giorgi at NSW Parliament House for more information.