(Photo: Government House)
April 13, 2019
Former Murgon resident Waverley Stanley – founder of the Yalari educational foundation – was presented with his Member of the Order of Australia (AM) medal in a ceremony at Government House in Brisbane on Thursday.
Mr Stanley was part of a group of 18 awardees recognised in this year’s Australia Day Awards who were welcomed by Governor Paul de Jersey AC.
His Australia Day award citation reads: “For significant service to the Indigenous community through support for education”.
The former Murgon State School student began his career after gaining a scholarship to attend Toowoomba Grammar.
He founded the not-for-profit Yalari foundation in 2005 to give other Indigenous schoolchildren the same chances that he had.
Yalari identifies children who are doing well at primary school and gives them the opportunity to be taught at some of the best boarding schools throughout Australia.
The Governor said the awards acknowledged the tireless efforts by the recipients.
“Fortunately for us, this group’s work in the community has not gone unnoticed … the record of service and achievement by today’s awardees is truly remarkable. They are indeed a potent force for good,” he said.
His Excellency also encouraged the recipients to take pride in their awards.
“You now possess marks of distinction, in the form of the highest honours that Australia bestows.
“Wear them often to inspire others.”
