THE Roxy Theatre was packed to overflowing for Yanco Agricultural High School's 93rd annual speech day and distribution of prizes last Friday.
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This year's event featured a highly anticipated guest speaker, former Governor of NSW Professor Dame Marie Bashir.
Born in Narrandera, Professor Bashir had fond memories of Yanco Agricultural High School.
"As a little girl I wanted to study (at YAHS)," she said.
"My other dream was to marry a farmer and live on the land. I got a little shanghaied on that.
"I always held a deep regard in my heart for YAHS and its students ... It sets an inspirational example of what rural people can accomplish."
In his address, principal Daryl Finch outlined some of the year's successes and also paid tribute to his teaching staff, particularly those that would be leaving, including Stephen Hill, who is retiring after 37 years at the school.
A selection of award winners
Academic excellence
Dux: Steve Butler and George Calman
First place: Year 11 - Breanna Carr. Year 10 - Cambell McMaster. Year 9 - Alexandra West. Year 8 - Heather Robinson. Year 7 - Emma Dixon
Special prizes
Yanconian of the Year (Caltex All-rounder): Melanie Gutler
Junior Yanconian of the Year (J R Paulett Prize): Cambell McMaster
Reginald Hinton Memorial Prize (meritorious effort): Lilly Serafin
Rodney Tindall Memorial Prize (application of business principals to agricultural studies): Chelsea Whytcross
Wesley Bonney Memorial Award (academic excellence in senior years): Grace Alexander
Defence force awards: Michael Hoskinson (year 10), Cameron Read (year 12)
Old Yanconians Prize: Adam Saul (year 12), Bianca Smith (year 7)
Director of Public Schools Award: Steven Butler
Ernest Breakwell Memorial Prize (most proficient student in year 12 agriculture): Dustin Manwaring
Sporting prizes
Sportsman of the year: Jock Ward
Sportswoman of the year: Melanie Gutler
Junior sportsman of the year: Zac Saddler
Junior sportswoman of the year: Chloe Ward
Jack Gown Medal (rugby league most outstanding): Darcy Booth
Bryan Norrie Trophy (rugby league best and fairest): Mitchell Pippin
Shane Miners Memorial Trophy (dedication and enthusiasm fro rugby union): William Booth
Alex Plant Trophy (cricket - best batting average): Andrew Haenig
George Harding Trophy (cricket - bowling average): Tobias Daniel
NSW Premier's Sporting Challenge Medal: Zac Saddler
Warren Weir Perpetual trophy (outstanding commitment to school sport): Benjamin Davis
