Kiama Council has awarded apprentice painter Ellah Cooper with the Megan Dalley Award for Trainee of the Year.

She was nominated for her painting skills and positive approach to her work. Ellah’s supervisors say the quality and efficiency of her work are just as good as a fully-qualified painter.

Ellah will be rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a $1000 prize to be presented at the next meeting of Kiama Council on 17 October.

The award was named in honour of Megan Dalley, a customer service trainee for Kiama Council who was tragically killed in a car accident in November 2007. Council resolved the following year to establish the award in her name to be given to a high-performing trainee, apprentice or cadet along with a $1000 prize.