Narragunnawali Awards 2025: Schools and Early Learning Services Honored for Outstanding Reconciliation Initiatives
Reconciliation Australia has announced the winners of the fifth Narragunnawali Awards, the only national awards dedicated to recognizing Australian schools and early learning services implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives. The ceremony, held on Thursday, November 6, at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra, celebrated organizations whose commitment to reconciliation has become systemic and deeply embedded in their practice.
The Narragunnawali program, which provides tools and resources for educational services to take action towards reconciliation between First Nations peoples and other Australians, currently engages more than 14,000 Australian schools and early learning services. Narragunnawali (pronounced narra-gunna-wally) is a word from the language of the Ngunnawal people, meaning alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace, and is used with permission of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council.
Schools Category Winner: Briar Road Public School
The winner of the Schools category was Briar Road Public School, located on Dharawal Country in Airds, NSW.
Chair of the awards judging panel and Reconciliation Australia Board Director, Sharon Davis, praised the school for creating an environment where reconciliation is “both expected and celebrated,” and where “community ownership of the journey is evident”. The judges observed that the school has successfully built a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are thriving, alongside Pacifica, Māori, and non-Indigenous students and families who are also included and uplifted.
Briar Road Public School was recognized not only for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and perspectives in its work but also for ensuring that non-Indigenous staff take on the heavy lifting of the ongoing work of reconciliation in education.
Highly Commended and Truth-Telling
The judges also highly commended Karuah Public School on the Mid North Coast of NSW for its dedicated work. Karuah Public School was noted for having “situated itself on the front line of truth-telling about its past exclusion of Aboriginal students”. According to Sharon Davis, their five-year journey involved consistent dialogue, respect, and vulnerability, transforming a once-divided community into one that is more connected and hopeful.
Early Learning Winner: Evans Head-Woodburn Preschool
The winner of the Early Learning category was Evans Head-Woodburn Preschool, situated on Bandjalang Country in Northern NSW. The judging panel stated that the service demonstrated an exceptional, long-standing commitment to reconciliation. Their approach is guided by Bandjalang Elders and Traditional Owners, with the team working closely with families to cultivate a learning space defined by respect, truth-telling, and belonging. The service was commended for being “more than inclusive,” as it is led by and with the local community, which makes reconciliation central to its identity and practice.
Reconciliation: Systemic, Not Symbolic
Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine congratulated all winners and finalists, expressing optimism about the quality of work demonstrated. Mundine highlighted that this year’s submissions
showcased “reconciliation that is not symbolic or seasonal but systemic and embedded into governance, the curriculum, staffing, culture and community relationships”. The CEO noted stories of engaged families, exceptional educators, and dedicated Elders and First Nations community members who have developed enriching relationships with the educational services, benefiting the children who learn from them.
Finalists and Event Context Other finalists acknowledged for their commitment and hard work included Bannister Creek Primary School (Perth), Goodstart Shailer Park (Logan City Qld), and Tillys Play and Development Centre – Rutherford (Maitland, NSW). Films showcasing the work of all six finalists were captured by the Indigenous production company Wirrim Media.
The evening awards ceremony followed a day-long national forum held on November 6, which brought together educational leaders and professionals—both First Nations and non-First Nations—to critically examine current reconciliation efforts within the Australian education sector. The Narragunnawali Awards have been held every two years since 2017. Reconciliation Australia acknowledged the generous support of Telstra and Teachers Health Group, who made the 2025 awards possible, and the BHP Foundation for its longstanding support of the Narragunnawali program.
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