Reconciliation in Education Awards 2021 early years finalists in Vic, SA and NSW

The finalists in the 2021 Narragunnawali Awards have been announced, with early years representatives from Boon Wurrung Country, Kaurna Country and Wiradjuri Country representing Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales respectively. 

 

Judging panel members Geraldine Atkinson, Sharon Davis and Professor Peter Buckskin spoke highly of the creative and innovative work done by educators and children to advance reconciliation in schools and early learning services across Australia. 

 

The strong leadership, passion and commitment to reconciliation was evident across all applications Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine said, outlining that judges looked for the ways in which the school or early learning service strengthen relationships, build respect, and provide meaningful opportunities in the classroom, and with the community.

 

“The panel were also pleased to see that even with the challenges posed by COVID-19, schools and early learning services ensured that reconciliation remained a priority in 2020,” she added.

 

The Award’s finalists are drawn from early learning, primary, and secondary (or combined) institutions across the government, Catholic and independent sectors, spanning NSW, Tasmania, WA, Victoria and South Australia.

 

In the early learning category Balnarring Pre-School, Boon Wurrung Country, Balnarring, VIC, St Peter’s Girls Early Learners Centre, Kaurna Country, Adelaide, SA and Tumut Community Preschool, Wiradjuri Country, Tumut, NSW were selected as finalists. 

 

Before deciding on the winners the judging panel will visit each of the six finalists during August and September 2021. Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and border closures, the visits will be a combination of virtual and in-person.

 

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which will take place as part of the Australian Reconciliation Convention at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on 15-16 November 2021.

 

Held every two years since 2017, the Narragunnawali Awards 2021 are the third awards to celebrate exceptional commitments to reconciliation in education.

 

Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali program supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

 

To learn more about Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali program, which supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions please visit the website, here.