Cashmere High School student wins Sir Paul Callaghan Premier Award

Year 13 Cashmere High School student Lila Madden is the winner of the 2019 Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Premier Award with her presentation entitled “Revolutionary Ryegrass” which suggested that New Zealand agriculture may be able to adapt to the impacts of climate change through the development of a new strain of genetically enhanced HME ryegrass.

Lila beat 11 other contestants from secondary schools and universities who made the finals for the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards.

Lila received her Trophy and Premier Award prize money ($10,000 ) from HE Dame Patsy Reddy, New Zealand’s Governor-General and the Patron of the RCW Eureka! Trust.

On the morning of Saturday 14 September Lila was interviewed by the doyen of New Zealand radio broadcasting, Kim Hill - who was also a member of the Judging Team for the Finals Event.