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Ellie in the running for achiever award

Posted on February 25, 2009, 4:04pm and updated on February 25, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Dedication to creating goodwill among young Aboriginal people has made Millicent teenager Ellie Lovegrove a top four finalist for the Young Indigenous Achiever Award.

Ellie was nominated by Millicent and District Hospital clinical services coordinator Shelli Loxton for demonstrating community initiative and leadership.

This included her involvement with Millicent’s Talkinjeri Aboriginal Dance Group, featuring a culturally diverse crew of Millicent children.

Ellie LovegroveThe 14-year-old Tenison Woods College student (pictured) is a descendant of the Ngarrindjeri people, the youngest of six children from a blended family and lives happily with her mother and stepfather.

However, her early years were tough, characterised by violence, family breakdown, the impact of alcohol, grief and racism.

By the age of seven she had lost her sister to a drug overdose and at 10 had seen an older sibling hospitalised due to mental health issues, experienced the suicide of a close relative and the death of her father.

Although her experiences are not uncommon among many young people, her attitude towards them and how they shaped her is inspiring.

Winners of the young achiever awards will be announced at a gala presentation dinner on March 21 at Adelaide’s Hilton Hotel.

Ellie said she was “stoked” just to have made the top four nominees.

“I didn’t think I would make it this far; I can’t believe someone nominated me,” she said.

“It would be pretty cool to win though.”

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Comments

One Response to “Ellie in the running for achiever award”

  1. Kimberly on March 5th, 2009 12:15 pm 1

    ellie is my lil sis. she as come along way. im so proud of her. i hope she wins she so totally deserves it.

    love u always ellie
    from your big sis kimmi