On Thursday 8th September, MADALAH and Future Footprints came together to celebrate our 2022 graduating cohort; an impressive 84 Year 12 Graduates and 17 Tertiary Graduates were congratulated and acknowledged for their outstanding achievements and hard work.
The evening started with a Welcome to Country by Olman Walley, who then joined 5 talented Trinity & Wesley College students to give an awe-inspiring Didgeridoo performance on stage. Guests were also entertained by an acoustic duo, MADALAH’s own and highly talented Rhys Bedford on guitar and Year 9 student Lavinia McKenna from Perth College on vocals.
The evening was kindly hosted by Trinity College, with guests warmly welcomed to the school by their Indigenous Coordinator Dustin Aylmore. Our very own MADALAH Alumnus and staff member Charles Mallard did a fantastic job as MC, also sharing his personal story, journey, wise words, and lighthearted jokes.
Guests were then addressed by MADALAH Chair Jeanice Krakouer who was bursting with pride, acknowledging and thanking MADALAH Board & Staff, AISWA Board & Staff and each of our partner schools. The following MADALAH Corporate Sponsors were also acknowledged; Water Corporation, iContracting, Kariyarra, South32 and Northern Star.
Our graduates, staff and corporate partners then enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner. Two graduates, Jalen Coppin from Guildford Grammar School and Chiara Miller-Sabbioni from Penrhos College were then invited to the stage. They reflected on their school journey, the challenges they have faced, their future journey and the legacy they want to leave.
After these passionate and inspiring speeches, the graduation certificates were presented by MADALAH Student & Families Support Manager, Casey Drummond, and Future Footprints Aboriginal Education Consultant, Andrew Beck. Each scholar received a graduation certificate, student portfolio and a beautiful wall hanging of WA that represents the student’s connection between MADALAH and/or Future Footprints and their hometown. The wall hanging featured artwork designed by Guildford Grammar students.
Finally, the 2022 MADALAH and Future Footprints Excellence Awards were presented to seven outstanding students who excelled in Academia, Sport, Service & Leadership and Entertainment & The Arts.
Beau Wuruki from Guildford Grammar School was the recipient of the MADALAH – Future Footprints Year 12 Academic Excellence Award for 2022. Beau strives to achieve good results in all areas of learning and extracurricular activities. He is interested in pursuing a career in chemical engineering or aviation. As a current cadet, he dedicates his time to this as well as tutoring young Indigenous boarders within his school, all whilst following his own ATAR pathway and being a school prefect.
Emmanuelle Vincent from St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls received the Service & Leadership Excellence Award for exemplary service within her school since starting there. Her contribution to the reconciliation committee has been outstanding; this year leading on a whole school reconciliation activity as well as changing the school Acknowledgment to Country to be more inclusive. She is a natural leader and is admired by her peers for her passion towards Aboriginal rights and education.
Tahj Loo from Aquinas College also received the Service & Leadership Excellence Award for his involvement in all aspects of his community, in and outside of school, volunteering his time to those who are in need. He also completed his Christian service learning in a family business that works with students in care. After this experience, Tahj commented “I always look at people as humans, all deserving respect, love and kindness and I hope those kids felt my kindness”.
George Warmdean from Trinity College was the recipient of the Entertainment & The Arts Excellence Award which is a special award created in memory of Ms Lawford Wolf who was a champion of the Arts & Education and a MADALAH Ambassador. George has excelled in the entertainment and arts during his time at school. He is part of the Didgeridoo group that has played at various events around Perth, is a part of the school dance troop and leads NAIDOC celebrations. He is always setting an example to his peers and is currently undertaking a Cert II in Leadership with an Aboriginal Art component as well as Ab Music.
Talicia Griffin, a Water Corporation supported scholar from Penrhos College also received the Entertainment & The Arts Excellence Award for being a true leader to her peers through her art and creativity. She is a quiet achiever but outspoken on important matters such as representing Indigenous student matters on her school reconciliation committee. Through her powerful writing, she has discussed issues regarding lateral racism, empowering Indigenous youth and all things to do with our people.
The final award was presented by special guests Syd Jackson and Bill Dempsey who paved the way for Indigenous athletes and are proud MADALAH Ambassadors. This award will now be called the Jackson Dempsey award for Sports Excellence.
Jade Dimer from St Mary’s Anglican Girls School received the Sports Excellence Award for her exceptional skills at netball. She is a member of the East Fremantle Sharks Netball Club as a talented shooter and has had many strong performances. Her pursuit in the WA Netball League is an obvious passion and the respect she has earned from her fellow sports peers has granted her Co-Vice Captain for the 20 and under team for 2022. She has also recently been voted into the PNA 9-12 Division 1 2022 All-Stars Team for 2022.
Lewis Nannup, an iContracting supported scholar from Wesley College also received the Sports Excellence Award. He is an outstanding athlete who is a part of the school’s first football side and PSA interschool athletics team. Outside of school, Lewis has also competed at state athletics championships where he has won bronze in the heptathlon, silver in hurdles and hi-jumps and gold in the 4 x 400m relay. Additionally, he is captain of the Bayswater Little Athletics Club and Vice-Captain of his school’s athletics team. He has been invited to the AFL Indigenous talent program and has played for the East Perth Football Club (Colts).
Congratulations to all of our 2022 secondary and tertiary graduates and award winners! Thank you again to Trinity College for kindly hosting the event. It was a wonderful celebration of all achievements and judging by the smiles around the room was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We look forward to keeping in touch with each of our graduates and seeing where their next journey leads them!
