Held biennially since 2017, the Narragunnawali Awards is the first national awards program that recognises and celebrates Australian schools and early learning services that are implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives. Finalists are acknowledged for strengthening relationships, building respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school or service, and with the community.
There are two Narragunnawali Awards categories:
- Schools: this category incorporates primary, secondary, senior secondary and combined schools within the Government, Independent or Catholic sectors.
- Early Learning: this category incorporates early childhood education and care, preschool, family day care and out of school hours care services.
APPLICATIONS
Online applications for the Narragunnawali Awards 2021 are open between 1 February and 30 April 23:59 AWST. To start an application, members of the school or early learning service’s RAP Working Group can follow prompts under the ‘Your RAP’ tab when logged into the Narragunnawali platform. If your school or early learning service hasn't yet developed a RAP, learn more about how to do so here.
For more on the application process, download the Information Kit. You might also like to view our Early Learning or Schools Narragunnawali Awards 2021 walk-through webinars, freely available to register for on-demand via narragunnawali.org.au/about/webinars.
NOMINATIONS
Individuals – parents, carers, staff, students, community members – can encourage a school or early learning service to apply for a Narragunnawali Award 2021 by submitting a nomination form here.
2019 Finalists and Winners
Early Learning Category Schools Category
Winner: Forbes Preschool (NSW) Winner: Maclean High School (NSW)
Finalist: Barefoot Early Childhood (QLD) Finalist: Moolap Primary School (VIC)
Finalist: Tamborine Mountain State School (QLD)
“We were impressed by the calibre and creativity of the nominees this year. 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” – Karen Mundine, CEO Reconciliation Australia
Early Learning Finalists
Winner
Forbes Preschool
Schools Finalists
Winner
Maclean High School
Past Finalists
Judging Panel
Geraldine Atkinson
Bangerang/Wiradjuri
Geraldine Atkinson is a Bangerang/Wiradjuri woman who has devoted her career to expanding the possibilities available to Koorie people through education. Geraldine is President of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) and has made a significant impact in the area of early childhood, and has always regarded education as being the best instrument of progress.
Professor Peter Buckskin
Narungga
Professor Peter Buckskin is a Narungga man from the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. For over 40 years Professor Buckskin’s passion has been the pursuit of educational excellence for Aboriginal peoples. Professor Buckskin is Co-Chair of Reconciliation South Australia and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators.
Sharon Davis
Bardi Kija
Sharon Davis is a proud Aboriginal woman, from both the Bardi and Kija peoples of the Kimberley, and is committed to enhancing the education experience for Aboriginal students, families and communities and strengthening Aboriginal education for the benefit of all. Sharon is Director of Education at Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).