Young Citizen of the Year nod for Blackfriars student

A Blackfriars student has been named the City of Prospect’s 2025 Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of his significant commitment to end-of-life care.

Year 11 student Nathan Bishop was honoured for his ongoing fundraising efforts, in particular for The Mary Potter Foundation. He was formally presented with the Young Citizen of the Year Award at a ceremony last night (28 January).

Nathan hoped the Young Citizen of the Year award would provide a platform for an even bigger fundraising push in 2025.

“It’s a massive honour to be able to receive this award,” said Nathan, who is a member of several bands at Blackfriars, plays a number of instruments and has been elected a House Leader for 2025.

“I hope this is the start of something bigger, to be able to help even more people.”

In 2023, Nathan organised Blackfriars’ first ever team in the Walk for Love for The Mary Potter Foundation, raising more than $2700. In honour of his involvement, the Foundation last year named him an official ambassador for the event.

In 2024, he rallied a large group of students and staff members to again be part of the Walk for Love, raising more than $6000. He then created Pals for Palliative Care – a community group dedicated to supporting the work of The Mary Potter Foundation.

Pals for Palliative Care’s first event was an 11km walk through the streets of North Adelaide and the CBD in November, with about 50 Blackfriars students, staff and family members taking part. More than $2100 was raised through the event.

Nathan also organised Blackfriars’ Open A Water Polo team, of which he is a part, to take part in the 2024 Laps for Life event, raising another $2000 for mental health organisation ReachOut.

Blackfriars Communication Officer Shannon Caton, who, along with Director of Wellbeing Anthea Osborne, nominated Nathan for the award, said he was an “inspiration”.

“It’s rare to meet a young person with such a strong sense of helping others,” Ms Caton said.

“Nathan does not seek recognition or reward, rather selflessly giving his time to ensure those in palliative care, and their families, have the best possible experience.

“End-of-life care is not something on the radar of most 16-year-olds. But Nathan, through his efforts, has made fundraising for The Mary Potter Foundation an annual focus for our Blackfriars community.”

Principal David Ruggiero said Nathan had shown what it meant to be a leader “in the truest sense of the word – someone who inspires others, takes initiative and uplifts their community”.

“This award not only recognises Nathan’s incredible contributions but also shines a spotlight on the importance of the palliative care work of The Mary Potter Foundation. It’s a cause that requires empathy, courage and a deep commitment to humanity,” Mr Ruggiero said.

Prospect Mayor Matt Larwood (BPS’89) paid tribute to all the award winners.

“We are blessed in the City of Prospect to have many, many volunteers who do a huge amount of great work for, and on behalf of, the community,” Mr Larwood said.

“We hope you all continue with your volunteering commitments. It really is something you get a lot of joy out and seeing the appreciation you get. You do it for nothing, you do it in your own spare time and of your own free will and the people who you do it for appreciate it.”

Blackfriars old scholar James Maybank (BPS’01) was also honoured last night for his work with Churchill Greening.

Under Mr Maybank’s leadership, local residents established the Churchill Greening community group.

During the Ovingham level crossing removal project, they advocated for the surplus land to be repurposed as a community garden – the Churchill Pocket Park – creating a shared space to cultivate connections and foster a sense of belonging.

In 2022, former Head Prefect Lewis Saint received the City of Prospect’s Active Citizenship Award in recognition of his commitment to social justice and sport at Blackfriars. Old scholar Alex Chua (BPS’20) won the same award in 2021.