Ashleigh Smith (17), of Maniototo Area School, and Emily Boud (16), of Dunstan High School, represented the Sticks'n'Stones group which is run by pupils at five high schools in the wider Central Otago district.
The group was representing Central Otago at the national awards after winning the regional final. Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper accompanied the pupils to Wellington for the awards and said the girls' presentation was superb.
''They spoke from the heart and were great ambassadors for Central Otago as well as for their schools and the project.''
Sticks'n'Stones is funded through the Ministry of Social Development and administered by Central Otago Reap. It finds pupil-led initiatives to tackle cyber bullying.
The group came second behind waterfront revitalisation group Focus Paihia, representing the Far North District. The anti bullying group won $1500, which will probably be used to take the group's message ''on the road''.
''They've had lots of feedback at the awards from groups and communities, especially in the South Island, wanting the girls to talk to groups in other areas,'' project facilitator Karla Sanders said.
