The Mainfreight Award for Excellence in Attitude was launched in 2019. The award recognises senior students at our Mainfreight-sponsored schools who have shown a positive attitude in all areas of school life or who have been recognised for having accomplished a major goal or made an exceptional effort at school during the year. The award is granted to the most deserving student at each school.

The 2024 awards were presented to winning students during Term 4, 2024 Book Giving Assemblies or at graduation ceremonies. Mainfreight provided each winner with an engraved silver trophy; a bundle of three Dorling Kindersley titles: Knowledge Encyclopedia – Dinosaur, Knowledge Encyclopedia – Space and Knowledge, andEncyclopedia – Human Body; and a certificate personally signed by Rodd Morgan, Group General Manager of Mainfreight Australia.

The 2024 winners were:

• ALTONA NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL (Vic): Elinor Cruickshank (Grade 6 ) – Elinor is a kind, caring and enthusiastic student. She is a fantastic role model to her peers. Elinor always strives for excellence and takes on extra responsibilities at every opportunity. Elinor displays brilliant leadership qualities.
• BROADMEADOWS PRIMARY SCHOOL (Vic): Destan Semirli (Grade 6) – Destan consistently demonstrates the school values of Respect, Kindness and Learning Together. He applies himself strongly in all learning areas and regularly shares his understanding and ideas with others. Destan has been undergoing a range of medical procedures this year but has stayed positive and continued to strive to achieve his best at school.
• CAROLE PARK STATE SCHOOL (Qld): Taylah Kolio (Grade 6) – Taylah has consistently demonstrated excellence in her attitude throughout the year by approaching every challenge with positivity and resilience. Her willingness to support her peers, combined with her dedication to giving her best effort in all tasks, sets a high standard for those around her.
• CHALLA GARDENS (SA): Jessica Mey (Grade 6) – Jessica is a quiet achiever. She has worked steady and hard throughout the whole year and has shown improvement in all areas of learning. She is also an excellent role model who demonstrates our school values – kindness and respect – every day.
• DANDENONG SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL (Vic): Sadaf Shirzad (Grade 6) – Sadaf is an enthusiastic student with a passion for reading and writing. Her curiosity and love for the stories she reads are infectious to her peers. Sadaf’s creativity in writing and eagerness to explore different genres of books reflect her true love for literature. She has also made good progress in all areas of the curriculum. As an Arts Captain, she consistently volunteers and seeks duties to help her teachers. Sadaf showcases strong leadership skills and should be commended for her excellence this year
• DOONSIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Jessica Grover (Grade 6) – Nominated for Academic excellence and leadership qualities providing a role model for students.
• DUBBO NORTH PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Amelia Butcher (Grade 6) – Amelia has a positive behaviour record at our school; her attendance has been consistent, and she displays a positive attitude to all aspects of her schooling. Her role as a library monitor is a testament to her sense of responsibility, and she continues to help whenever called upon. She is supportive of her peers and always seeks to brighten their day.
• DUNDULA STATE SCHOOL (Qld): Rhian Ashley Segui (Grade 6) – Ashley has shown excellence in all aspects of her schooling and is very deserving of the award.
• ELIZABETH SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL (SA): Beverley Saida (Grade 6) – Beverley has been a role model at school, consistently upholding our school values: We are respectful, We take pride, We are safe, We are united as a team, and We are powerful learners.
• GLENROI HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Ellie Leonard (Grade 5) – Always demonstrating a growth mindset and consistently displaying a positive attitude to all learning tasks.
• HARLAXTON STATE SCHOOL (Qld): Noah Beattie (Year 6) – Noah consistently demonstrates a positive attitude to all aspects of school life. When assigned a senior job he always completes it responsibly and enthusiastically. He can be trusted to support younger children within the school. Noah shows care and consideration for his peers both in the classroom and playground and he always speaks respectfully to staff. Noah deserves this award as his positive attitude bring smiles to many.
• HILLVUE PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Deneeka Nean-Kelly (Grade 6) – Daneeka has demonstrated an excellence in attitude through her role as Vice School Captain, as a leader in the Cultural Dance Group.  She is an all-rounder, showing sportsmanship, determination, pride and kindness both in the classroom and on the sporting field. She shows commitment to her learning and to achieving her personalised goals. She is caring and helpful to staff and students. She is a wonderful role model for others to follow.
• HUME PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Charlee Glare (Year 6) – The award is awarded to Charlee Glare in recognition of her outstanding achievements this year at Hume Public School. Charlee consistently demonstrates the values of kindness, perseverance and integrity. She approaches all learning tasks with enthusiasm and goes above and beyond to deepen her understanding. Charlee actively contributes to class discussions and always has a positive attitude. She is respectful and supportive of peers and her teachers.
• KEMBLAWARRA PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Daniel Noori (Grade 5) – Daniel is receiving the Excellence in Attitude Award for 2024 for his dedication and progress in reading this year. He has not only shown consistent effort in improving his reading skills but has also demonstrated a habit of reading widely, both at school and at home. Daniel is frequently found with a well-loved book tucked under his arm and shares his love of reading with his peers through lively discussions and storytelling. He is a positive role model for his classmates and is evidence that hard work and a passion for reading can lead to success.
• LIDDIARD ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL (Vic): Ella Meers (Grade 6) – Ella has consistently demonstrated an excellent attitude towards her learning all year, and actually for all of her school life here at LRPS!!! She also holds a leadership role as an Environmentalist at our school where she participates each week in looking after our school animals alongside her other Environmentalist duties. Her kind and caring nature has meant that she has had great success in this role. She is a considerate and respectful school citizen of our school community.
• MAJELLA CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL (WA): Ananiya Wassie (Year 6) – Nominated in recognition of her outstanding leadership and teamwork. Ananiya’s dedication, initiative, and ability to guide others have greatly contributed to the success of our efforts. Through her collaborative spirit and commitment, she has set a remarkable example of what it means to work together to achieve common goals. Her hard work and positive influence have not gone unnoticed, and this award is a testament to her exceptional qualities as a leader and team player.
• MATRAVILLE SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Kosta Topic (Year 6) – We are delighted to present Kosta Topic with the Mainfreight Award for Excellence in Attitude for 2024. This year, Kosta has consistently demonstrated a positive and determined attitude across all aspects of school. Kosta is enthusiastic and engaged when learning, is caring, kind and supportive to his classmates, and is dedicated to achieving his learning and personal goals. Kosta’s resilience and excellent attitude inspire his peers to do their best.
• NERANG STATE SCHOOL (Qld): Zyon Miller (Grade 6) – For always encouraging his peers and treating others with respect.
• NOBLE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL (Vic): Aarab Shrestha (Grade 6) – Focused attitude to all areas of learning and a positive role model to his peers.
• SOMERTON PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Karliah Hankinson (Year 5) – Throughout the academic year, Karliah has demonstrated a positive attitude and dedication to all areas of her schooling.
• TOWNSVILLE WEST STATE SCHOOL (Qld): Ashley Hazelwood (Year 6) – Ashley puts in her best effort in every task she undertakes. She is always ready to help other students across the whole school. Ashley is a worthy recipient of this award.
• WENDOUREE PRIMARY SCHOOL (Vic): Ethan Gaynor (Grade 5) – We are delighted to nominate Ethan Gaynor for The Mainfreight Award for Excellence in Attitude for his remarkable commitment to reading. Ethan consistently demonstrates an exceptional attitude towards his learning, eagerly devouring books at a pace that keeps both Mr Bartok and Mrs Pentice on their toes. His enthusiasm for reading not only sets a positive example for his peers but also showcases his dedication to personal growth and a love of literature. Ethan’s unwavering curiosity, paired with his tenacity to explore new genres and challenge himself, makes him a deserving candidate for this award.
• WOODBERRY PUBLIC SCHOOL (NSW): Amalia King (Year 6) – Amalia is a quiet achiever and a lovely girl!

Books in Homes Australia is exceptionally grateful to Mainfreight for this prestigious and generous award, as well as for their continued support in all areas of the Program. We believe this Award will be treasured by these special students for years to come.

PHOTO: Ella Meers (centre) from Liddiard Road Primary School (Vic) receives her Mainfreight Excellence in Attitude Award from Emily Mitchell and Anton Fitt.