Amanda Jones
11 July 2016: A University of Canberra academic is one of ten outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians honoured at this year’s National NAIDOC Awards.
Professor of education Chris Sarra, a Goreng Goreng man from Bundaberg, was named 2016 NAIDOC Person of the Year in recognition of his extraordinary efforts to improve Aboriginal educational outcomes throughout Australia.
Professor Sarra, who is the youngest of 10 children, became the first Aboriginal principal of Cherbourg State School in southeast Queensland in 1998. There, he significantly improved the educational and life outcomes of its students through a 'strong and smart' philosophy, which encourages students to have a positive sense of cultural identity and embrace positive community leadership.
Professor Sarra dedicated the award to Indigenous parents and communities across Australia who are working with schools to deliver a stronger smarter future.
"It also belongs to more than 2,000 school and community leaders in this education revolution for our children. Your work honours Aboriginal Australia and Torres Strait Island Australia and the teaching profession and I salute you for this,” Professor Sarra said.
“The battle to create equal futures has a frustratingly long way to go and plenty people must play a part. We are stronger than we believe and smarter than we know. We can take our place in an honourable future. We have survived and now we must thrive,” he added.
Other winners included artistic director of Bangarra Dance Theatre Stephen Page who received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu named Artist of the Year.
“It is humbling to see the breadth of amazing work being done by so many talented and dedicated individuals across our land,” said National NAIDOC Committee co-chair Benjamin Mitchell said.
More than 1,500 guests attended the event held at the Darwin Convention Centre on 8 July. For more information on the 2016 National NAIDOC Awards winners visit www.naidoc.org.au
