Justin Purtill was a standout student at Deniliquin South School in 2025, earning him the honour of Dux of the school.
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He was presented with the First Principal’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement (Dux) award at a ceremony held just before the summer school holidays.
Runner-up Dux, and recipient of the Gifted and Talented Award, was Alice Petersen.
They were among a host of students who were rewarded for their academic, creative and sporting achievements throughout the year.
The ceremony was also an opportunity to welcome the 2026 Deniliquin South School cabinet members, and house captains for the coming year.
Ministers who made their pledge during the presentation were Kalaya Atkinson, Harper Bulmer, Gabbi Dunmore, Jed Fitzmaurice, Nate Fitzpatrick, Isla Moodie, Callan Leiper, Peggy O’Donnell, Angus Priest and Stevie Williams.
Other results from the awards ceremony are as follows.
Special awards:
Award for Public Speaking and Debating - Huxley Lilford.
George Cable Encouragement Award - Lachlan Jeffrey.
Des Greaves Special Effort: Kinder/Stage 1 - Luka Wharton; Stage 3 - Peggy McKenzie.
O’Donnell Award for Special Effort (Stage 2) - Archie Rose and Charlotte Reeves.
The Dawe Family Award for Project Research - Monique Crothers.
Edward River Art Society Awards: Early Stage 1 - Savannah Chadderton; Stage 1 - Lylah Trigg; Stage 2 - Selah Mulholland; Stage 3 - Christopher Plant.
Langman Rose Performing Arts Award - Gabbi Dunmore.
Science and Technology Award - Justin Purtill.
Director's Award for Outstanding Leadership - Keira Lankow.
Helen Dalton Award for Hard Work and Dedication - Chloe Dennison.
Library Award - Piper Hansen.
Deniliquin Teacher’s Association Award (School Values) - Skylah Parlato.
Member of Parliament for Outstanding Service/Year 6 Community Involvement Award - Julia Smith.
Keith Purtill Memorial Award for School Contribution - Alice Petersen.
Alan Farquhar Award for Industry and Effort (Stages 1/2) - Lincoln Arthur.
Rotary Club Citizenship Award - Bailee Dunn.
Learning & Support Award - Macy Scoullar and Lenny Mills.
Class Awards:
Kinder Kakadu: Academic Achievement - Lennox Morris and Mackenzie Leiper; Consistent Effort - Olivia Kirby; Citizenship - Lexi Soding; Improvement - Oliver Webber.
Kinder Ningaloo: Academic Achievement - Bronte Ladson and Jack Rose; Consistent Effort - Keegan Peters; Citizenship - Harriet Connally; Improvement - Savannah Chadderton.
1 Alpine: Academic Achievement - Norah Buchanan and Lexi Sullivan; Consistent Effort - Alfie Strong-Charlton; Citizenship - Callie Squires; Improvement - Zion Tamati.
1 Everest: Academic Achievement - Liam Reeves and Jack Packer; Consistent Effort - Penelope Tangey; Citizenship - Johanna Ratnapala; Improvement - Zaya Arnold.
2 Aurora: Academic Achievement - Harvey Smith and Tully Leetham; Consistent Effort - Oliver Raper; Citizenship - Matilda O’Connor; Improvement - Jax Hall.
2 Barrier Reef: Academic Achievement - Lindsey Lankow and Luka Wharton; Consistent Effort - Mia Rose; Citizenship - Kobi-Jane Seely; Improvement - Franklin Norman.
3/4 Lake Mungo: Academic Achievement - Archer Ladson and Annabelle Webber; Consistent Effort - Karis Miller; Citizenship - Archie Rose; Improvement - Jandre Steyn.
3/4 Galapagos: Academic Achievement - Charles Druitt and Levi Robson; Consistent Effort - Kayden Atley; Citizenship - Acaysha Lake; Improvement - Jaxson Atkinson.
4 Millowl: Academic Achievement - Grace Sommerfeld and Lenny Parker; Consistent Effort - Jake Woolston; Citizenship - Keira Lankow; Improvement - Charlotte Reeves.
5 Lake Eyre: Academic Achievement - Sabrina Hasan and Christopher Plant; Consistent Effort - Jedidiah Miller; Citizenship - Amelia Webber; Improvement - Jake Taylor.
5/6 Amazon: Academic Achievement - Justin Purtill and Reagan Hills; Consistent Effort - Angus Priest; Citizenship - Darci-Lee Thomson; Improvement - Remi Bowen.
5/6 Grand Canyon: Academic Achievement - Alice Petersen and Julia Smith; Consistent Effort - Peggy McKenzie; Citizenship - Isla Moodie; Improvement - Oaklee Morrison.
Sporting awards:
Major Games: AFL Football - Jed Fitzmaurice and Nate Fitzpatrick; Basketball - Jed Fitzmaurice, Nate Fitzpatrick and Bailee Dunn; Cricket - Callan Leiper; Netball - Alice Petersen and Indi Conallin; Soccer - Lenny Hanns and Monique Crothers; Tennis - Lenny Hanns.
Greens (selected for state championships) - AFL and Basketball - Jed Fitzmaurice and Nate Fitzpatrick; Cross Country - Levi Robson; Swimming - Logan Littmann and Jake Woolston.
Sportsmanship Awards: Braxton Leetham and Darci-Lee Thomson.
Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Jake Woolston.
Senior Sportsperson of the Year - Jed Fitzmaurice.
NSW Premier’s Sporting Challenge Medal - Indi Conallin.
Swimming: A & K Norris Cup for Winning House - Mundiwa; Mr & Mrs Collins Cup for Senior Boy Champion - Lachlan Jeffrey; Nolan Cup for 11 yrs Boy Champion - Jed Fitzmaurice; Horneman Cup for Junior Boy Champion - Logan Littmann; Keith Purtill Cup for Senior Girl Champion - Julia Smith; Nolan Cup for 11 yrs Girl Champion - Peggy O’Donnell; A Barker Cup for Junior Girl Champion - Keira Lankow; N Maher Cup for Senior Boy Championship Race - Lachlan Jeffrey; McLean Family Cup for Senior Girl Championship Race - Peggy O’Donnell; Clapham Family Cup for Junior Boy Championship Race - Jake Woolston; Satoria Cup for Junior Girl Championship Race - Keira Lankow.
Athletics: S&E Thomas Shield for Winning House - Warbreccan; Elders Cup for Senior Boy Champion - Jordie White; Des Greaves Cup for 11 yrs Boy Champion - Nate Fitzpatrick; Lance Lloyd Cup for Junior Boy Champion - Levi Robson; Johnstone Family Cup for Senior Girl Champion - Monique Crothers; Des Greaves Cup for 11 yrs Girl Champion - Harper Bulmer; John King Cup for Junior Girl Champion - Keira Lankow; APK O’Donnell Cup for Senior Boy Champion Race - Jordie White; Mr & Mrs Raggett Cup for Junior Boy Champion Race - Jake Woolston; John King Cup for Senior Girl Champion Race - Monique Crothers; Doddridge Family Cup for Junior Girl Championship Race - Heidi Golds; Tonta Family Cup for Senior Boy Field Events - Jordie White; W Spinks Cup for Senior Girl Field Events - Monique Crothers; Deni Freighters Cup for Junior Boy Field Events - Levi Robson; B J Greaves Cup for Junior Girl Field Events - Keira Lankow.