Finalists in this category, from L to R: Graham Blackley, Tim Webb, Charlene Lee (for Judith Ketchell), Lyle Swan, Freyja Lucas, Paul Hughes, Sarah Lackey and Peter (Ned) Loades
Finalists
Lyle Swan, Telopea Park School, ACT
Paul Hughes, Rosemeadow Public School, NSW
Tim Webb, Belyuen School, NT
Judith Ketchell, Tagai State College, QLD
Peter (Ned) Loades, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School, SA
Sarah Lackey, Tasmanian Catholic Education Office, TAS
Graham Blackley, Bairnsdale Secondary College, VIC
Freyja Lucas, Tom Price Primary School, WA
Winner of the 2011 Australian Government Minister's Award for Excellence in Teaching or Leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Graham receiving his certificate from Minister Garrett
Video of Graham shown at the 2011 AITSL Awards
Video of Graham transcript 34KB RTF
Graham Blackley, Bairnsdale Secondary College, VIC
A catalyst for change, Graham Blackley is the Principal of secondary the Junior Campus of Bairnsdale Secondary College, one of the largest providers education for Indigenous youth in Victoria.
Graham provided leadership in the development of an overall ‘Koorie Education Plan’ to address the challenge of lifting the educational outcomes of Indigenous students to a level comparable to other College students. The Plan requires all staff to take responsibility for Indigenous student outcomes and has been developed with the assistance of the Stronger Smarter Institute, Dare to Lead and the local community.
As a result of Graham’s leadership, Indigenous students in the school have a more positive sense of their identity, few students are disengaged from the school, there are numerous future leaders and the school has its first Indigenous School Captain.