Fifth Narragunnawali Awards launch, honouring reconciliation efforts in ECEC

The fifth round of Narragunnawali Awards are now open, marking an important opportunity for schools and early learning services to be recognised for their efforts towards a reconciled Australia. 

The awards, held every two years since 2017, are Australia’s first and only national awards to recognise and celebrate schools and early learning services that are demonstrating dedication and commitment to implementing reconciliation initiatives, and are presented and run by Reconciliation Australia.

Awards categories  

Schools: including primary, secondary, senior secondary and combined schools within the Government, Independent or Catholic sectors.  

Early Learning: including early childhood education and care, preschool, family day care and out of school hours care services.  

Cash prizes of $10,000 as well as media and special engagement and networking opportunities are on offer to the winning school and early learning service judged to display outstanding commitment to reconciliation. 

Judging panel 

This year’s panel of judges comprises Mx Sharon Davis, Professor Joe Sambono, and Professor Grace Sarra. The awards patrons are Professor Peter Buckskin and Aunty Geraldine Atkinson.

ECEC at the forefront of reconciliation efforts

Schools and early learning services, Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine said, are “at the forefront of reconciliation.”

“Our Narragunnawali partner schools and early learning services are working hard to ensure First Nations languages, histories, and cultures are included in general learning thereby creating learning environments which both uplift the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and give a more well-rounded education for all children,” she said.

“The 2023 winners, Perth’s Winterfold Primary School and Adelaide’s Stirling District Kindergarten demonstrated the tangible ways schools and early learning services are strengthening relationships, building respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school or service, and with the community.”

“These are just two examples of how teachers and their school communities are achieving great results with little resources except a determination to create better learning environments for their students.”

Chair of the Narragunnawali judging panel, Reconciliation Australia Director and educationalist, Mx Sharon Davis said the 2023 winners were prime examples of the changes occurring in the Australian educational sector. 

“Across the country, schools and early learning centres are fostering strong relationships with local First Nations communities and committing to creating learning environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children feel proud, respected, and reflected,” Davis said.

“We are seeing more and more schools take a firm stand against racism, ensuring that First Nations children are safe and valued in educational spaces. This kind of commitment leads to increased attendance and engagement for First Nations students and ensures all learners benefit from a more truthful and inclusive education.”

“These education partners are vital to advancing education justice — where First Nations perspectives are embedded in everyday learning, and all students gain a richer understanding of the world around them.”

Nominations and applications for the Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education Awards 2025 are now open.  Applications close Friday 2 May 2025.