There were tears and cheers at yesterday’s Nanga Mai awards as a Penrith student paid tribute to his Pop’s legacy, a teenager spoke about the pride and strength of her identity and Education Secretary Murat Dizdar spontaneously announced two teaching scholarships.

Now in its 20th year, the Nanga Mai awards showcase excellence in Aboriginal education bringing together educators, family and community leaders from across the State.

As part of the event opening, Lakiah Chatfield, a young Gamilraay woman from Coonabarabran High School spoke candidly about the weight and resilience of being a young Aboriginal person in today’s Australian society.

Sharing the essay which won her the national 2025 Whitlam Institute What Matters writing competition, Lakiah reflected on the personal impact that attacks on Acknowledgements of Country has.

“When they say it’s ‘just a waste of time,’ it feels like they’re saying we don’t matter. That our history doesn’t matter. That I don’t matter,” said Lakiah.

“The emotional toll of navigating spaces where your identity is not only misunderstood but actively ridiculed is significant. I often find myself questioning whether my presence is welcome or if I'm merely tolerated.”

She highlighted the importance to Aboriginal people of the Acknowledgment of Country as a ‘simple yet powerful act of respect – honouring the connection between the land and the people who have cared for it for thousands of years.

“It’s about recognising the truth of this land and its history - that we are still here, that our stories and cultures are alive, and that we have a right to be heard,” she said.

The next generation

In celebrating the student excellence on show, NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar told the audience he would emulate NSW Health’s scholarship offer to Lakiah to follow her ambition to be a social worker, by offering the two Nanga Mai masters of ceremony, NSW Department of Education teaching scholarships.

While Leumeah High School vice-captain Riley Ingersole has ambitions to be a primary school teacher, Mr Dizdar was thwarted in his attempt to gain two new teaching recruits when Griffith High School’s Danika Broome said her ambition was to be a doctor.

Showcasing the important work in reclaiming and rejuvenating Aboriginal languages, many of the award winners, presenters and speakers spoke in their respective language with Menindee Central School choir performing two songs in Paakantyi.

Guest speaker Jakobi King, a Euahlayi, Gamilraay and Bundjalung boy in Year 5 at Cambridge Gardens Public School, showed his pride in culture by sharing “his Pop’s story”.

Jakobi told the audience his grandfather, Michael Ghillar Eckford Anderson, was one of the four Aboriginal activists behind the original tent embassy in Canberra in January 1972.

He linked his grandfather’s activism to landmark moments in Aboriginal modern history such as dedicated legal and medical services, land rights and anti-discrimination laws.

“It is up to me and the next generation to strengthen the path that has been fought hard for us by envisioning a positive future for generations to come,” he said as he called on his ‘Pop’ in the audience to stand up, leading to a standing ovation and tears. 

Sixteen students and 11 dedicated staff members, community leaders and schools received awards including Deputy Secretary Deborah Summerhayes being presented with the Exceptional Leadership in Support of Aboriginal Education Award.

Mr Dizdar said the Nanga Mai Awards showcased student excellence in academic achievement, performing arts, public speaking, sport, leadership, and community engagement.

“You are part of a proud legacy and you are showing this and the next generation what’s possible,” Mr Dizdar said. 

“The Nanga Mai Awards exemplify how strong community partnerships, dedicated staff and targeted and culturally appropriate programs are integral to the success and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in NSW public schools.”

Acting Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Courtney Houssos said honouring Aboriginal cultures and identity provided a vital foundation for academic success.

“The Nanga Mai awards not only showcase excellence, but they also highlight the key role community and culture plays in providing the platform from which our Aboriginal students can thrive,” Ms Houssos said.

Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister Steve Whan said the awards showed what was possible when hard work, talent and community came together.

“The Nanga Mai winners are role models for their communities, and their success paves the way for future generations,” Mr Whan said.

The 20th annual Nanga Mai Awards are supported by: The Wollotuka Institute (University of Newcastle), Hicksons Hunt & Hunt, Teachers Health, Matrix CNI, Learning Links, Australian National Maritime Museum, Bendelta, TOMRA Cleanaway, Hewlett Packard, Officeworks and IntraSpace.