Over 130 people saw Rotary Club of Kempsey West president Margaret Hammersley present each student with a banner, a gift voucher and a personalised certificate that included a citation from the staff of the respective schools.

The awards that began in 1991 are in their 25th year with over 1000 students having been honoured in that time.

The students varied in age from eight to 18 and each one was greeted with applause from teachers and family members that attended the function. 

Common to all of the students was a commitment to their school, their peers and younger students, to community activities such as ANZAC Day attendance and the most common attribute was their leadership qualities.

Individually students had served on school parliaments, participated in regional sporting events, the Silver Band, Girl Guides and Aboriginal programs while one student travelled to Thailand to work in an orphanage.

The students are to be highly commended for their service to their schools and communities.