Lives touched by girl’s gift

THE memory of a young Cranbourne woman whose life was tragically cut short will continue to live on through the lives of others after a youth award was named in her honour.
Courtney Park, 17, died earlier this year following an asthma attack.
The student at St Peters College in Cranbourne had aspired to be a nurse and further pursue her study at university next year.
At a recent awards ceremony at the Narre Community Learning Centre (NCLC) it was announced that the organisation had named its annual youth award in Courtney’s honour.
Her mother, Marja Park, a NCLC board member, addressed the audience about her daughter’s life and said she was very pleased that the award had been named in her honour.
She also told of the pride she felt for her daughter and how Courtney lives on in the bodies of others for whom she donated her organs.
Ms Park said the award would also help carry on her only child’s memory.
She said the award would have meant a lot to her daughter, whom she described as fun loving, outgoing and a real social butterfly.
She said her daughter had also been keen to pursue her education and would be equally thrilled that the award had been named in her honour.
Ms Park said she hoped the Courtney Park Memorial Youth Award would encourage young people to achieve as much as they could and help build confidence and self-esteem.
She said it had been pleasing to see award recipient Carley Gray get such satisfaction from the award.
The awards ceremony coincided with Adult Learners Week and celebrated the achievements of many students.
NCLC named Tiarne De Yong as Learner of the Year, Lyn Imlach as Volunteer of the Year, Tina Bampton as Tutor of the Year and the Class of the Year was awarded to the Certificate III in Children’s Services group.
NCLC CEO Wayne Hewitt said the centre wanted to congratulate all the winners and nominees for their awards.
“Everyone is a winner, just by being here today,” Mr Hewitt said.
“I would especially like to thank Marja Park for her efforts in presenting the Youth Award in these circumstances.”