2024 - Raphillia Agale (Kangaroo Island)

Raphillia came to her school with a keen curiosity to learn more about, and connect with, her Torres Strait Islander heritage. She participated in the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) program where she expanded her intercultural understanding and applied this to the Kangaroo Island local context to advocate for better healthcare for Aboriginal residents. By embracing cultural activities such as cultural dance, workshops and smoking ceremonies, Raphillia has strengthened her cultural connection. She also worked with AusOceans to contribute to the development of an ocean monitoring rig deployed off Kingscote and has regularly sought support and feedback from teachers to achieve her best.

2023 - India Bament-Sitowski

An active member of her school’s Reconciliation Action Plan Committee for the past three years, India also led a group of staff and students on a walk to mark the anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations and participated in the Thriving People initiative. As part of her Outdoor Education studies, India participated in a camp on the land of her ancestors — Narungga Land — and has been learning the Kaurna language over the past two years. In addition to her SACE studies, India works part-time in hospitality where she trains and inducts new staff. She is also a talented netballer and represents her local team.

2022 - Blake Heading

Blake was part of the Young Aboriginal STEM Thinkers of South Australia and also MC-ed the event. He represented his school in multiple STEM and maths competitions including the NASSSA Maths Olympics and the Airbus Aerospace Engineering Challenge. He will stay with the school after graduation as an SSO to support Aboriginal students.

2022 - Anesha Rahman

As a proud Indigenous Australian student, Anesha is working with her mother, her Badimia elder grandfather, and  the Badimia community to revive the Badimia language. As a part of the Badimia  revitalisation mission, Anesha has been involved in the development of the online portal for learning the language and travelled to WA for cultural learning. As one of the ‘Girl Up’ leaders, she has played a significant role in the success of the committee this year. This has included A Dignitea Drive to support the eradication of period poverty which saw over 200 sanitary items collected for the Dignitea organisation.  She’s working towards being a doctor and working with indigenous community.

2021 - Chloe Henderson 

Chloe was also a recipient of a Governor of South Australia Commendation – Excellence Award. Chloe has won scholarships and awards in both the academic and sports fields. Throughout the SACE, Chloe was a peer leader in an elite Aboriginal Netball Academy run by SAASTA (South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy). During this time, she also learned a lot about her own culture which sparked her own journey of personal identity. Chloe’s significant academic achievements have led her to tertiary studies in Criminology and Law & Society at Flinders University.

2020 - Liana Walker

Liana was a school leader and role model to younger students. She experienced and overcame adversity following a severe injury that took away her ability to play sport. Liana received the ‘student of the year’ award at her SAASTA graduation night, providing recognition that she was the best out of all the 2020 SAASTA Academy students in the state, despite not being able to train and participate in many of the practical components. Liana was dedicated to her local netball team, the Metro Jets, until she was injured. Liana also previously coached a team of younger children and remained passionate about working in the sporting industry, and set her sights on becoming a physiotherapist.

2019 - Mitchell Odegaard

Mitchell achieved a Merit in the Research Project. Mitchell is an inspiring Aboriginal student leader who is passionate about STEM. Mitchell received a standing ovation for his presentation on ‘powerful learning’ at the 2018 Aboriginal Education Conference, where he highlighted that Aboriginal students should be brave and take any opportunity that comes their way. For his Research Project, Mitchell examined whether STEM was influencing positive change in the classroom and closing the gap. He chose to undertake more challenging SACE subjects to help him achieve his long-term career goal of becoming a Civil Engineer. Mitchell won the overall Year 11 award for the SAASTA AFL academy, and was Master of Ceremonies at the state’s SAASTA awards.

2018 - Tobias Turner

Tobias played a key leadership role in the development of the College’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community policies and practices. Tobias was a mentor, supporting students and staff regarding Aboriginal perspectives within the community, curriculum and Reconciliation Action Plan Committee. He represented and worked alongside his community at a local and state level, including being part of a group who worked with the Government to explore the creation of a Kaurna Cultural Centre at Belair National Park. He also worked with a language group who promoted the Kaurna language and were involved in consultation across sectors regarding appropriate use, spelling and signage of language.