Reconciliation Australia, along with our Judging Panel Bangerang/Wiradjuri woman Geraldine Atkinson, Bardi Kija woman Sharon Davis, and Narungga man Professor Peter Buckskin, are pleased to announce the Finalists for the Narragunnawali Awards 2019.

Early Learning Finalists

Barefoot Early Childhood, QLD
Forbes Preschool Kindergarten, NSW
Kelly's Place Children's Centre, NSW

Schools Finalists

Maclean High School, NSW
Moolap Primary School, VIC
Tamborine Mountain State School, QLD

The Narragunnawali Awards, sponsored by the BHP Foundation, celebrate schools and early learning services that are striving for a just, equitable and reconciled Australia.

Reconciliation Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Karen Mundine says all the finalists have enthusiastically embraced reconciliation.

“We were so impressed by the calibre and creativity of the nominees this year, and particularly of the finalists. Teachers and students alike have been working in partnership with Elders, Traditional Owners and community members to ensure teaching and learning is relevant to their local community context. They have been actively engaging with the true histories of the Country on which their school respectively stands, and exploring themes of racism, holistic approaches to wellbeing, land management practices and sustainability” Ms Mundine said.

“The important work that these children, students, teachers and broader communities are doing, is part of a broader movement of Australians learning, unlearning and relearning our shared histories in schools and early learning services around the country,” Ms Mundine concluded.

We would also like to congratulate the following schools and early learning services were commended by the Judging Panel:

Early Learning (commended)

Evans Head-Woodburn Preschool, NSW
The Friends Child Care Centre, East Lismore, NSW
Goodstart Early Learning Elizabeth Vale, Elizabeth Vale, SA

Schools (commended)

Goondiwindi State School, QLD
Lloyd Street Primary School, VIC
Mossman State School, QLD

The Judging Panel will be visiting each of the finalists in the coming months to determine the winners. 

The winners of the Narragunnawali Awards will be announced at a special Awards ceremony in Canberra which will be live-streamed on Thursday evening 14 November 2019.

Congratulations to the Finalists and many thanks to all schools and early learning services who were nominated this year!

One more thing! We're looking for a motivated educator who is passionate about reconciliation to join the Narragunnawali team in Sydney for 12 months. Learn more about this opportunity here and please share with your networks. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.