The Vi Barham Award for Excellence is a scholarship presented to a Year 7 student, demonstrating the qualities of academic excellence, community involvement and sporting achievement.

Ethan said it was a great experience to be able to compete in the Vi Barham award, and an even greater honour to win, made even more special by being the first person from Darkan to have won this award in its 23 year history.

Twenty-four schools in the Narrogin district nominate Vi Barham candidates who subsequently undergo a rigorous testing program.

A panel nominated by the Vi Barham committee consisting this year of Narrogin District director of education Rosalba Butterworth and two board members, then interviewed the top 10 achievers.

Ethan was the student with the highest aggregate score over both the test and interview.

On the awards night all finalists received a book award from Mrs Butterworth and Wagin MLA Terry Waldron.

These presentations were followed by a speech by Greg Robertson from BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina.

This is the third year Worsley has taken up sponsorship of the annual award in the Narrogin Education District, which covers much of the company’s mining lease area.

Ethan was announced the winner by Joseph Leong, chairperson of the board of trustees.

The award is named after Vi Barham who worked in the Narrogin district office for 23 years.