Three Central Coast students have been celebrated for their excellence in Aboriginal education in NSW public schools at the 17th Nanga Mai Awards.
The awards are presented by the NSW Department of Education and recognise students, school staff and Elders who have made significant contributions in their communities.
The Coast students were among 30 academically successful students, public speakers, performing artists, sportspeople and student leaders to win an award this year at a ceremony held on November 30 at Sydney Opera House.
Lachlan Masters of Erina High School won an award for Outstanding Academic Excellence.
His nomination said Lachlan consistently strives to achieve academic excellence, achieving first in the year for PDHPE, Music, Chemistry Stage 6, and Mathematics Advanced Stage 6, as well as fourth in Mathematics Extension 1 Stage 6in his Preliminary HSC Academic Report Semester 1 – 2022.
“Lachlan’s teachers describe him as mature, diligent, productive, disciplined, organised and enthusiastic,” the nomination said.
“(He) is a proactive member of our school community who volunteers his time during break on Fridays to tutor Stage 4 students.
“He is also a member of our Aboriginal Leadership Team and a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh program.
“Lachlan is an extremely capable and dedicated young man and an outstanding role model for Aboriginal students.”
Outstanding Achievement in Performing, Creative and Visual Arts awards went to Summer Kirby of Tuggerah Public School and Trinity Dawson of Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, Tumbi.
Summer’s nomination said the was born on Guringai Country, an intensely proud young Bundjalung woman.
“A gifted and talented performer, Summer excels in highlighting the unique and spiritual experience of Aboriginal dance for her culture and people,” it said.
“Summer is captivating and versatile and helps promote Aboriginal identity through dance.
“She thrives, sharing the traditions of her people and keeping Aboriginal culture alive for future generations.
“She is creative and blends her passions of dance, art, and song to continue the storytelling traditions of her ancestors.”
The nomination said Summer uses her skills and knowledge of dance to mentor younger Aboriginal students in their cultural pursuits and has facilitated Aboriginal dance workshops for local schools.
“Her ability and effortless leadership have seen her represent the Tuggerah Public School’s Aboriginal Dance Group as lead dancer since its inception,” it said.
“Under her lead the dance group opened the Central Coast Dance Festival and Central Coast Showcase.”
Trinity’s nomination said she was a proud Worimi and Yuin woman who has embraced her culture through her creativity in fashion and design.
“At the age of 14 she designed her own Indigenous sleepwear range, Dream Time, and in February 2022 was invited to the New York fashion show to both model and present her unique Aboriginal fashion line,” it said.
“Trinity has since been invited to Miami, New York, and Paris to present her sleepwear and new activewear range, Deadly Active.
“Her designs have been worn by Acorda, displayed on billboards in New York and feature in Getty Images.
“Trinity has also been invited to the Sydney Multicultural Fashion show to receive an award for her work as an Aboriginal designer.
“Both her sleepwear and activewear designs express her unique creativity combined with her passion for her culture and raising awareness of First Nations Peoples at local, national, and international levels.
“Trinity is an outstanding role model to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students at Tumbi Umbi Campus.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Nanga Mai Awards celebrate schools that have established a culture of respect, caring and inclusive teaching practices which recognise, value and meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal students.
“Nanga Mai is an Eora word for ‘to dream’ and these awards embrace the diversity of all the schools and supporters who champion our students so they can follow their dreams,” Mitchell said.
“We are also honouring the Elders and Aboriginal school staff and community members who bring language, culture and wisdom into our schools.”
Source:
Media release, Dec 1
NSW Education Department