11.07.2007 – Kathryn Millar from St Andrews has received a young achiever award from the NSW and ACT Freemasons in recognition of her contribution to the local community.

Kathryn was nominated for the award for her considerable commitment to a number of projects inside and outside of school. As a Peer Literacy Tutor, she has worked with children in years 7 to 8 in improving their reading and writing standards, which has helped with their overall academic performance.

As a student with cerebral palsy, Kathryn has also been heavily involved in programs designed to help those with disabilities. She has participated in University of Western Sydney’s Cerebral Palsy project with is designed to help youths with the condition come to a better understanding of their disability. Kathryn has also been a member of the Macarthur Outreach School Team in which she was responsible for researching support option for those in wheelchairs.

The $2,000 award will be presented to Kathryn at a special presentation held on Friday 13 July, hosted by the Freemasons of Lodge Airds, Campbelltown.

Jim Hyam, masoniCare’s local representative congratulated Kathryn on receiving the award, saying, “Kathryn’s commitment to helping others is absolutely remarkable and it is great to see her contribution to the community acknowledged with this award”.

“At its core, Freemasonry is about making a difference in other people’s lives and Kathryn is a good example of how a young person can promote this ideal,” He said.

Kathryn plans to use the money to cover expenses whilst completing her studies at University of Wollongong. She has enrolled in a double degree which includes a Bachelor of Communications and Media Studies as well as a Bachelor of Arts.

Kathryn thanked the Freemasons for nominating her for this award, saying, “I am honoured to receive this award and would like to say a sincere thanks to the Masons for selecting me. Young people should be encouraged to make a difference in the community and this program does exactly that”.

The award is part of masoniCare’s Young Achiever program which selects 13 young people from around NSW and ACT in recognition of their work in the community.