At Hastings Secondary College’s NAIDOC Week celebrations on July 31, Ms Olive accepted the award from Bill O’Brien.

Ms Olive is an Aboriginal woman and is the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer for the Hastings and Macleay schools and said she was humbled by the award.

“I am so passionate about encouraging and helping our Aboriginal students achieve everything they can,” Ms Olive said.

“I have worked in many forms of education from early childhood education right up to high schools and I think it is so important that we continue to seek ways to ensure better educational outcomes.

“To be recognised with this award is so humbling and amazing and I am blown away that my passion for education has lead me to this point.”

Ms Olive has worked in Aboriginal Education for the past 40 years and has been based in the Port Macquarie Education Office for the past 20 years.

She is a strong advocate for Aboriginal education through her work commitments and community work.

Ms Olive said growing up it was her own teachers who confirmed her path in education after school.

“I can still vividly remember my own great teachers who inspired and help me achieve what I wanted and I hope I can continue to assist students in reaching their own goals,” she said.

“Teachers make all the difference and they have the power to influence and change the path going forward for our students.

“And those who are supported to assist and engage our students should be celebrated also.”

The citation she received stated that she has been secretary of the Hastings Aboriginal Education Consultative group for the past 15 years and is a life member of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

Ms Olive has also been instrumental in the Community Protocols information booklet recently launched with all government schools across the region.

Through her work with the Hastings Aboriginal Education Consultative Group she is a valued team member who recently launched the latest Educational “Partnership Agreement” with the Hastings Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and all government schools across the Hastings area.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has helped our local students achieve their goals and I hope we can continue along the right path.

“Now we have high profile Aboriginal doctors and lawyers and I hope moving into the future we can create more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models for our students.”