2024 Nanga Mai Awards celebrated with gala event in Parramatta

Early learning services and professionals have joined New South Wales students in being recognised at the 19th annual Nanga Mai Awards, held 25 November 2025 in Parramatta, Sydney. 

 

The Nanga Mai Awards celebrate educational excellence in our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learners, leaders and educators, and in 2024 fourteen students were recognised for their outstanding results in diverse areas, as confident public speakers, talented performing artists and high achieving sportspeople, along with ten 10 dedicated teachers, community leaders and places of learning. 

 

“I want to send a big congratulations to all the hardworking students, teachers, school and community leaders being honoured at the Nanga Mai Awards,” NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said.

 

Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services (MACS) featured strongly in the awards, with both Birrelee MACS Service and Oorunga Wandarrah MACS being recognised. 

 

A Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service (MACS) is a child care service funded by the Commonwealth Government as part of the Children’s Services Program. MACS are designed to help Aboriginal communities with their child care needs.

 

The Birrelee MACS Service was given an award for making an Outstanding Commitment to Increasing Knowledge and Understanding of Aboriginal Histories, culture and experiences of Aboriginal people, while Aunty Mary Chatfield from Oorunga Wandarrah MACS was awarded for making an Outstanding Contribution to Early Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Staff Member.

 

Namina Pre School, Wellington was named Outstanding Early Education and Care Service.

 

Other Nanga Mai Award winners in 2024 were: 

 

• AEC Outstanding all-rounder student Award (Primary), Manaia Kemble-Withell, La Perouse Public School

 

• AEC Outstanding all-rounder student Award (Secondary), Tahlia Gilbert, Narrandera High School

 

• Outstanding Leadership in Aboriginal Education, Beris Duroux, Grafton Education Office

 

• Outstanding Achievement in Public Speaking (Primary), Nevaeh Soper, Aldavilla Public School

 

• Outstanding Achievement in Public Speaking (Secondary), Sophia-Rose Markham, Armidale Secondary College

 

• Outstanding Student Leadership Award (Primary), Emiliah Smith, Curran Public School

 

• Outstanding Student Leadership Award (Secondary), Katelyn O’Neill, Trangie Central School

 

• Outstanding Academic Excellence Award (Primary), Jax McGivern-Picken, Bomaderry Public School

 

• Outstanding Academic Excellence Award (Secondary), Matthew Phillips, Elderslie High School

 

• Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Staff Member, Lee Moran, Koonawarra Public School

 

• Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by a Non-Aboriginal Staff Member, Brent Waters, Kincumber High School

 

• Outstanding Achievement in Performing/Creative/Visual Arts Award (Primary), Gabby Mobbs, Macksville Public School

 

• Outstanding Achievement in Performing/Creative/Visual Arts Award (Secondary), Aurielle Smith, Newtown High School of Performing Arts

 

• Outstanding Achievement in Sport (Primary), Ryder Grierson, Brookvale Public School

 

• Outstanding Achievement in Sport (Secondary), Tallara Joseph-Riogi, Canterbury Girls High School

 

• NSW DoE Outstanding School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year, Hollie Newberry, Coonamble High School

 

• NSW DoE Outstanding VET Student of the year Award, Cordell Scott, Hastings Secondary College, Port Macquarie Campus

 

• Outstanding School and Community Partnership, Curran Public School, Curran Public School

 

• Outstanding Leadership in Aboriginal Languages, Bronwyn Hardie-Gerant, Kingswood South Public School

 

• Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by an Aboriginal Community Member, Aunty Lindy Lawler, Oak Flats High School/Balarang Public School

 

• Outstanding Contribution to Educational Achievement by a Non-School Based Staff Member, Brooke Ferguson, Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate – Dubbo

 

“Congratulations to all our award winners,” NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said. 

 

“Improving outcomes for Aboriginal students is crucial to building the equitable and outstanding public education system we strive for under the Plan for NSW Public education.”

 

“Key to that is providing culturally responsive educational opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and colleagues to enable them to thrive.”

 

The 19th annual Nanga Mai Awards were supported by: Hicksons Lawyers, Teachers Health, Matrix CNI, University of NSW, Australian National Maritime Museum, Bendelta, Engineering Ingenuity Pty Ltd, HP, Learning Links, TOMRA Cleanaway, Virtus Heritage and Powerhouse Museum.