Gathering for an evening of celebrations on campus, Nura Gili, UNSW’s Centre for Indigenous Programs hosted their 5th annual Awards Night on Friday 13 October. The evening recognises and celebrates the academic achievements, triumphs of effort and resilience of Indigenous students across UNSW.
Gathering for an evening of celebrations on campus, Nura Gili, UNSW’s Centre for Indigenous Programs hosted their 5th annual Awards Night on Friday 13 October. The evening recognises and celebrates the academic achievements, triumphs of effort and resilience of Indigenous students across UNSW.
UNSW Law academic, professional & technical staff along with student representatives, Indigenous students and Indigenous graduates attended the Awards Night in support of the Faculty's award winners, and the winners from across the University. Each winner embodied determination, effort, a quest for high standards and the desire to make a difference for Indigenous peoples in Australian society.
In Law, Ganur Maynard (4th year BA/LLB) won the Academic Excellence award. He is currently on exchange in Germany so unfortunately could not collect his award in person.
Jason O’Neil (5th year BA/LLB) won the UNSW Bar Association’s Indigenous Barristers’ Trust award which was presented by Leon Apostle (LLB ’08), who was called to the Bar last year.
Hayley Barrington (3rd year BA/LLB) and John Mewburn (4th year BA/LLB) both received Spirit awards.
It was especially exciting to see Dominic Zahra (BA/LLB ’15) win the UNSW Business School/AGSM Academic Excellence award for his achievements thus far in the MCom.
Jeni Engel, UNSW Law’s Director of Indigenous Legal Education, presented the awards to Hayley and John. She commented, ‘all the prize-winners tonight deserve our congratulations, as does every Indigenous student at UNSW who’s persevered with their studies this year and overcome challenges along the way. Having the opportunity to work with Indigenous law students on a daily basis makes it obvious to me just how much this group of young people value their education and just how much they have to offer. It’s really a privilege to share in the celebrations this evening and I remain inspired by the work Nura Gili does to support Indigenous students, in partnership with faculties.’
It was fitting that UNSW Law’s Professor Megan Davis, recently appointed UNSW’s first Pro Vice Chancellor – Indigenous, was guest speaker at the Awards Night. Professor Davis spoke of her vision for UNSW Indigenous graduates to give back to Community as a priority and for UNSW to ‘grow our own’ Indigenous academics; aspirations echoed by Associate Professor Reuben Bolt, Director of Nura Gili, in his speech.
Congratulations to all students for their achievements!