Leadership is making a difference

TO MANY girls, Lateesha ­Jeffrey is a mother, or an aunt, even a sister.

Pride of Australia

TO MANY girls, Lateesha ­Jeffrey is a mother, or an aunt, even a sister.

The 22-year-old is the senior development officer for the Palmerston Girls Academy at Rosebery Middle School.

She is also captain of the Palmerston Magpies women’s senior side and also coaches their Youth Girls team.

But that’s not all.

She also finds time to study teaching.

Ms Jeffrey has been nominated for a Pride of Australia award as a Young Leader.

She said she felt lucky to have the relationship with the girls in the academy she does.

“We try to be aunties or big sisters, and guide them in right direction,” she said.

“I know some students have had much different experience from me, and to be there for them all the time, to be that constant mentor is special.”

Ms Jeffrey has been in a leadership position since her mid-teens, when she was a dance instructor in Nhulunbuy for primary, high school, and advanced dancers.

“I was 15 or 16 teaching girls in their mid-20s, it was good and I loved it.”

That experience has proved invaluable, leading her to a successful application within the Palmerston Girls Academy. “I’m lucky to be paid to do what I love,” she said.

In the decade since their inception, the Pride of Australia awards have honoured more than 550 Australians, shared more than 19,000 stories and unearthed extraordinary feats of courage and heroism.

To nominate someone for a Pride of Australia award, click here.