Held biennially, 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 the ways in which they strengthen relationships, build respect, and provide 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.
NOMINATE A SCHOOL OR EARLY LEARNING SERVICE
In 2021, we'll be celebrating the third Narragunnawali Awards season. We're inviting individuals – staff, students, families, and community members – to nominate schools and early learning services that they believe are demonstrating exceptional commitment to reconciliation for an Award.
Once a school or early learning service is nominated, the Principal/Director and, where relevant, wider RAP Working Group, will be notified and encouraged to formally apply for a Narragunnawali Award 2021.
Nominations and applications can be submitted online any time before Friday 30 April 2021. For more information about the nomination and application process, download the Info Kit below.
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 former Dean of Aboriginal Engagement and Strategic Projects at the University of South Australia.
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).