A helping hand from Nobelius

L-R: Rob and Chris Nobelius with award winner Christopher Hopkins and his grandma, Patricia Young. Pics: GABRIELLA PAYNE

By Gabriella Payne

You couldn’t wipe the smile off Christopher Hopkins’ face on Thursday afternoon, as the Pakenham Consolidated Primary student was announced as this year’s Nobelius Scholarship winner.

The Grade 6 student, who will be transitioning into secondary school next year, will have all his educational fees including books, laptop and uniform costs paid for by the Pakenham based business, Nobelius Land Surveyors.

Christopher received a huge round of applause at his final primary school assembly on Thursday 16 December, when Rob and Chris Nobelius (founders of the company) announced him as the winner of their scholarship program, which is now in its third year.

Rob Nobelius said that they had started the scholarship program as a way of giving back to someone in the community and while it had been a difficult decision to choose from the many good candidates, Christopher had stood out as an exemplary student and worthy recipient.

“We started this because our kids both came here and then went to Pakenham Secondary and they were very successful – and we wanted to help somebody else in the community,“ Rob said.

“The scholarship is for a financially challenged student and it’s just our way of giving something back to the community.“

Christopher, who loves maths and said he one day hopes to become a civil engineer, said he was over the moon to have been chosen as the winner of this year’s award.

“I’m just really, really happy,“ he said.

“I was quite nervous when they started the announcement, but I’m just really stoked.

“Harmony and Jacob [the two runners up] were very good candidates, but we really need this, so there are no words to really describe this, I’m just very happy!“

Christopher’s grandmother, Patricia Young said that she was incredibly proud of him and knew he would put the scholarship to good use.

His Grade Six teacher, Olivia Hogan, agreed and said that she was “very emotional“ but knew he would thrive in secondary school – and this scholarship would help him to achieve his dreams.

“When it comes to my future, I always try my hardest,“ Christopher said.