MEC-LEPH Award to continue at ALEPH2026 in Sydney
In 2016, Dr Melissa Jardine, former local student and school captain (1996), initiated the MEC-LEPH Award to provide a cultural and educational experience for Year 11 students at the Maryborough Education Centre.
LEPH2016 Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2 students)
LEPH2018 Toronto, Canada (2 students)
LEPH2019 Edinburgh, Scotland (2 students)
APLEPH2026 Sydney, Australia (4 students)
Awardees are selected by the school community through a competitive process.
Successful students are those who demonstrate leadership potential and are keen to pursue or explore a career or voluntary work locally or globally which promotes the importance of the law enforcement, public health, education and governance sectors in addressing complex social issues.
The award is supported by MEC who provide funding to two teachers to mentor the students in the lead up to delivering their presentations at the conference and facilitating community meetings for students to ensure local organisations are engaged in the knowledge sharing activities.
In 2019 and 2025, the initiative has received the generous support of the Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud. In 2026, this sponsorship forms part of a Maryborough Community Safety and Wellbeing Enhancement Program in collaboration with the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association.
The purposes of the Award are:
- To inspire students to pursue volunteer or professional experience which aims to improve the wellbeing of society.
- To give students from Victoria’s most disadvantaged regional community a voice on an international stage
- To educate students about mechanisms for policy change and advocacy techniques
- To provide an educational and cultural experience for students by attending international conference
- To educate students on the importance of intersection between law enforcement and public health in Australian and international contexts
- To enhance student confidence in interacting with experts in LEPH, academics and practitioners
- To expose students to range of career pathways
- To increase partnerships linkages with local police to promote better police-community relationships
If you would like to support the Award please contact MEC or Melissa Jardine.
Media and links:
- ‘Australian students pave the way for next generation of LEPH practitioners’ LEPH2016 Amsterdam homepage
- ‘Student pair to carry campaign to Canada’ Maryborough Advertiser 2018
- ‘MEC students recipients of Centre for Law Enforcement & Public Health Award’ Goldfields Local Learning & Employment Network 2018
- ‘Local community promotes women’s leadership and LEPH2018 in rural Victoria, Australia’ LEPH2018 Toronto homepage
- Student testimonials following LEPH2018 – MEC newsletter
Julie Reiger, Caitlin Britten, Melissa Jardine, Rose McNabb, Ashlee Lierich.
Lynette Lawrence, Sharine Lanfranchi, Melissa Jardine, Annabelle Reiger, Samantha Rothman
Jess Kile, Harmony Martin-Binks, Melissa Jardine, Shelby Steel, Katherine King.
Commander Stuart Bateson, Safer Communities & Crime Prevention