Awards Recognise Community-Minded Residents

THE community members of Toomelah and Boggabilla along with students from the Toomelah Public School began a community march through Toomelah on Monday, stopping at significant memorial points along the way.

The march started at the Charles Dennison Bridge and continued on stopping at 14 significant memorial points.

The march followers were addressed by Elders Elaine Edwards and Dawn Dennison who spoke of the significance of the sites and what those sites meant to their community.

They told the children about their family history and the key role that family members played in the establishment of today’s Toomelah.

The speech from Aunty Elaine and Aunty Dawn also talked of the sacrifices made by the pioneers, soldiers, and community leaders who were passionate about their community and wellbeing of their people.

They spoke of the fight for basic rights: For a house with running water and a kitchen and toilet inside.

They also spoke of the fight for the establishment of basic services such as the pre-school, school and health clinic.

At each site, the Toomelah Public School placed a bouquet of flowers to pay respect to their family members.

The Elders and school then took the children and march followers to the Toomelah cemetery where each child placed a small arrangement of flowers on the grave of a loved one.

After the march everyone met back at the Toomelah Public School for the Moree Plains Shire Council Toomelah and Boggabilla Community Awards.

There were five categories being presented to the communities; Elder of the Year, Youth Achievement, Community Excellence, Sports Person of the Year and Special Recognition.

The Aboriginal and Australian flags were raised followed by a hearty, warm lunch of savoury mince with baked potato, sour cream and cheese then damper.

Nominees for the awards were: Colleen McGrady, Dwayne Duncan, Rene Armstrong, Women of Hope – Rosie Green and Beatty Torrence, Les and Georgie Hook, Rex McIntosh, Roxanne Duncan, Bernadette Duncan, Norm McGrady, Charlotte (Sue) Swan, Jamaya Wightman, Deborah McGrady and Dakoda Armstrong.

The winners of the day included Elder of the Year Award – Colleen McGrady.

Colleen has been a part of the Gamilaraay Language Program for a number of years at the Toomelah Public and Boggabilla Central Schools.

Her contribution to the education of the students with ‘lingo’ is outstanding. She is a good team player and has shown enthusiasm for the program.

Colleen is also an Elder who welcomes visitors to special events speaking in the Gamilaraay language.

The Youth Achievement Award went to Dakoda Armstrong.

Dakoda is a youth leader who has confidence in herself. She is committed to her education, so much so that she has been accepted into the Nulla Gilla Indigenous Program at the University of New South Wales.

Dakoda is leading by example by working at the Goondiwindi Centrelink Office and showing her peers that anything is achievable if you believe in yourself.

Les and Georgie Hook received the Community Excellence Award.

Les and Georgie have been sharing their spiritual guidance to the community over several years.

They perform community funerals and deliver scripture to students. The students and community have a high regard for them and love their approach to learning about Christianity.

Georgie has also contributed to Toomelah Public School by donating her time to help with covering books, photocopying, stapling, cutting out and much more over her years of involvement with the school.

This year’s Sportsperson of the Year is Dwayne Duncan.

Dwayne was nominated from his outstanding achievements in rugby league and his exceptional attitude towards his sports.

Dwayne is currently living in Brisbane and working with the Junior Broncos.

Charlotte (Sue) Swan received the Special Recognition Award.

Sue is an extremely hard worker. She is up early getting students out of bed for excursions (sometimes as early as 5am).

She chases up attendance issues, seeks parental involvement and works with the Toomelah Public School and community on a daily basis. She has children as a priority, making sure they are supported in the school, classrooms and home.

Sue gets involved with meetings such as AECG, Aboriginal Language and organisational meetings such as NAIDOC Week and Cultural Week. She is a great link between the community and the school.

The principal of the Toomelah Public School Mrs Margaret Sloan awarded Toomelah NAIDOC organiser Sharlene Deamer with the first ever Principal’s Award in recognition of all her hard work for the event.