Prior to the holidays, Elders, special guests, parents, students and staff collaborated for the NAIDOC assembly led by the Junior AECG in preparation for the celebrations for NAIDOC Week 2017.
To open the event, Aunties Esther Quinlan, Gladys Atkinson, Caroline Bradshaw and Juli Morris, with students from the Girls Academy sang ‘I Am Australian’ in Dhungutti language. Those assembled learnt more about the deep spiritual significance of Aboriginal languages, which enables Aboriginal people to maintain their connection with their ancestors, land and law.
Seven students were honoured with NAIDOC Awards.
Leadership Awards: Dominic Hearne and Connor McKelvie
Vocational Education: Sarah Honess
Creativity: Genevieve Dunn
Academic: Teesha Spearpoint
Sport: Ivan Madden
Citizenship: Trent Fernando
Encouragement Awards: Leon Thompson, Natoya Quinlan and Katherine Honess
NAIDOC Staff Award: Georgie Morris