ABOUT THE AWARDS
Held biennially since 2017, the Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards are the only 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 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.
The Narragunnawali Awards 2023 are open!
Nominate a School or Early learning service, Start an Application via the 'Your RAP' page and, to learn more about the Awards, download the Info Kit below, or tune into the Narragunnawali Awards 2023 webinar.
“We will achieve true reconciliation through the education of future generations” – Professor Peter Buckskin, Narragunnawali Awards Patron
Previous Narragunnawali Awards Finalists and Winners
Thank you to all of the schools and early learning services that have shared their reconciliation stories through their applications over the years!
“The Judges were impressed by the strong leadership, passion and commitment to reconciliation that was evident across the applications” – Karen Mundine, CEO Reconciliation Australia
For more information about, and inspiration from, Narragunnawali Awards Finalists and Winners, view the films and links below.
2021 Early Learning Finalists
Winner
Balnarring Pre-School (VIC) / Tumut Community Preschool (NSW)
2021 Schools Finalists
Winner
St Virgil's College (TAS)
Past Finalists
Early Learning Category
- 2021 Joint Winner: Balnarring Pre-School (VIC)
- 2021 Joint Winner: Tumut Community Preschool (NSW)
- 2021 Finalist: St Peter's Girls Early Learners Centre (SA)
- 2019 Winner: Forbes Preschool (NSW)
- 2019 Finalist: Barefoot Early Childhood (QLD)
- 2017 Winner: Explore & Develop Penrith South (NSW)
- 2017 Finalist: Balnarring Pre-School (VIC)
- 2017 Finalist: Uranquinty Preschool (NSW)
Schools Category
- 2021 Winner: St Virgil's College (TAS)
- 2021 Finalist: Mosman Park Primary School (WA)
- 2021 Finalist: Briar Road Public School (NSW)
- 2019 Winner: Maclean High School (NSW)
- 2019 Finalist: Moolap Primary School (VIC)
- 2019 Finalist: Tamborine Mountain State School (QLD)
- 2017 Winner: Queanbeyan Public School (NSW)
- 2017 Finalist: Middle Park Primary School (VIC)
- 2017 Finalist: St Virgil's College (TAS)
Judges
Sharon Davis
BARDI/KIJA
Sharon is from both Bardi and Kija Peoples of the Kimberley, is the Director of Education at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, and has a deep professional and personal commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion, and respect for all. Sharon holds a Bachelor in Education (K-7) specialising in Aboriginal education, graduating with a number of honours, including the Vice Chancellor’s Medal for the University of Notre Dame’s School of Education. In addition, Sharon graduated from the University of Oxford with a Master of Science in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition.
Aunty Geraldine Atkinson
BANGERANG/WIRADJURI
Aunty Geraldine 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. Aunty Geraldine is an elected Member and Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, the elected voice representing First Peoples in Victoria through the States historic Treaty negotiations with the Victorian Government.
Joe Sambono
JINGILI
Joe is a Jingili man and curriculum specialist in embedding Australian First Nations histories and cultures throughout the Australian education sectors, primary to tertiary. Joe followed his passion and cultural connections to wildlife to start his career as a zoologist later merging his biology and cultural background with a career in education. Joe has previously led national curriculum initiatives at the CSIRO and ACARA and is currently the Program Lead for Embedding Indigenous Australian Perspectives with the Queensland University of Technology.