Reconciliation Australia is proud to have launched the Narragunnawali Awards 2019 to recognise exceptional commitment to reconciliation in education across the country. Held biennially, the Narragunnawali Awards represent Australia’s first national awards program for reconciliation in schools and early learning services. The Awards have been designed to recognise and celebrate educational environments – across the Government, Catholic and Independent sectors – that have implemented outstanding and genuine reconciliation initiatives. These schools and early learning services will be acknowledged for the ways in which they are strengthening and building relationships, respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classrooms, around the school or early learning service, and with local communities.
Award 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.
2019 Finalists and Winners
Reconciliation Australia, along with our Judging Panel, are pleased to announce the Finalists and Winners for the Narragunnawali Awards 2019:
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)
Congratulations to these inspiring schools and early learning services, and many thanks to all those who submitted a nomination this year! It is wonderful to learn more from the growing community of practice around reconciliation in education!
“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
Judges
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). Geraldine has made a significant impact in the area of Early Childhood, and has always regarded education as being the best instrument of progress.
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. Peter is Dean of Aboriginal Engagement and Strategic Projects at the University of South Australia.
Sharon Davis
Bardi Kija
Sharon Davis is a proud Bardi Kija woman who is committed to enhancing the Catholic education experience for Aboriginal students, families and communities in Western Australia and strengthening Aboriginal education for the benefit of all. Sharon is currently leading Aboriginal Education for Catholic Education Western Australia.