Promising Nambucca Shire Council trainee, Courtney McEwan, has been awarded the 2019 Cr Pat Dixon Memorial Scholarship, which was established to honour the first Aboriginal woman elected to local government in Australia.
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The 20-year-old from Bowraville joined Nambucca Shire Council earlier this year as a trainee Business Service Officer, and will use the scholarship to get moving with her Certificate III in Business "sooner rather than later".
Hard work is not new to Courtney, who has worked at Subway, Phoenix and Bonza's (ongoing).
"I've had two jobs on the go for years - I enjoy being busy, I enjoy working," Courtney said.
"Working here is challenging but really good. I am moving through different departments getting a taste of different areas - I am in planning and development at the moment and really enjoying it."
"I never thought I'd like a desk job but now I'm really glad. I have been amazed at how big the council administration is and how much they do.
"You always hear bad things but now I can see what is happening I can talk to people and explain we are so much more than 'rates, rubbish and roads'.
Courtney said her role model was her mother, Sonia McEwan - "she's always helping others and we were taught that too".
The scholarship, which is administered by LGNSW, is awarded each year to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander councillor or member of council staff in NSW to undertake further study, professional development or research.
Local Govt NSW president, Linda Scott, said she was thrilled to name Courtney McEwan as this year's very worthy recipient.
"I thank the family of the late Cr Pat Dixon, who showed such magnificent leadership in her region and beyond, for working with LGNSW to continue her legacy of supporting Indigenous elected representatives and staff," Ms Scott said.
"Pat was a proud member of the Dhanggati people, whose traditional country is the mountains and rolling hills between the coast and tableland around the Macleay River.
She had a distinguished career of community service, serving as Deputy Mayor of Armidale, Vice-President of the NSW Local Government Association and much more.
Courtney said she was proud of her Indigenous heritage and her achievement: "I hope I can show other young people there is so much more they can do."
Applications for the 2020 Cr Pat Dixon Scholarship will open in early 2020.
