Representatives from all public schools in the Hastings region came together on November 14 to acknowledge and recognise the hard work of Aboriginal students and their teachers.

Sharon Combey from Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus said she was delighted to receive an award for the role she plays in helping students achieve their goals.

“It was very unexpected but I am very grateful for the recognition,” Ms Combey said.

“My passion is to help students achieve their goals and I have a real interest in cultural learning and how using culture can assist students learning.

“I am very fortunate the Birpai nation has allowed me to learn about their culture and assist our Aboriginal students on their educational journey.

“It is a partnership and the awards are a wonderful way to highlight the great work being done by our students.”

Students Ethan Schafer and Dean Jones both received awards and said they were excited to get recognised.

“I was pretty excited when my name was called out as I never expected to ever get an award,” Dean said.

“I play a lot of sport which is something that I love and to get a sports award was pretty cool.”

"For me I think the awards are very important because it recognises the work Aboriginal students are putting in,” Ethan said.

“We are just as good as any other student and awards like this show that we are doing good things and people are noticing what we do."

Linda Olive, Aboriginal community liaison officer for the Hastings and Macleay area said the awards were about showing Aboriginal students the work and effort they put into study is worth it.

“The awards are given out to students who are making the most of the educational opportunities given to them,” Ms Olive said.

“As well as student awards, we will be giving out a number of awards that will recognise outstanding teachers and staff members who are going above and beyond to help in the pursuit of Aboriginal outcomes for our students.

“It is about celebrating the students and all they are achieving.”

Students – of all ages – and staff members spaning the length of the Hastings region were recognised with winners coming from Wauchope, Port Macquarie and the Camden Haven. 

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