Emma follows in fine footsteps

By Kath Gannaway
EMMA Beverley has been awarded the Tricia O’Reilly Scholarship for 2006.
The scholarship is presented in memory of 12-year-old Healesville High School student, Tricia O’Reilly, who was killed when she was struck by a truck at Healesville’s East End on August 27, 2001.
Emma, aged 11, is the fifth recipient of the $400 scholarship which is awarded each December to a grade six student moving from Healesville Primary School to the High School.
Healesville Police Sergeant Tony Van Gorp, who suggested the scholarship as a way of honouring Tricia’s memory, presented it to Emma last week.
“Tricia’s death was devastating,” he said. “It affected the whole town and it was my view that a scholarship in Tricia’s name would be a major reminder of that sad event in a positive way.”
Emma, who started at Healesville Primary School in second term, said she was surprised and honoured to be chosen as someone who people see as the same sort of person as Tricia.
In recommending her, the scholarship panel said Emma demonstrated many of the qualities the school community saw in Tricia.
It described her as caring, helpful and supportive, someone who encourages her peers, displays great sportsmanship and leadership skills and was a great role model to younger students.
“We highly recommend Emma for the Tricia O’Reilly Scholarship because of her fun-loving attitude and enjoyment for life,” the recommendation said.
Members of the O’Reilly family attended the presentation and, Sgt Van Gorp said, were extremely proud to see their daughter remembered through the scholarship.