The advice that I have for younger students is to be proud of what you’ve done, even if it’s just the little things. Just keep focusing on what’s ahead of you.
Aporo Aruba, Djarragun College Graduate
The awards flowed and booming applause followed at Djarragun College’s 2021 Presentation Day. The ceremony was a brilliant display of Indigenous culture, and it celebrated the Year 12 graduates in style.
It was the first official event for new campus principal Damien Gaimsford, who was proud of the students and the school.
“It was a fantastic celebration of student achievement today, and also their cultural identity,” he says.
The event, held on 17 November 2021, was well attended by student families, some of whom had travelled from far reaches of Queensland. They participated wholeheartedly in the congratulatory atmosphere as each of the 45 graduates received their leaver’s portfolio, a personalised academic record signalling the culmination of their scholastic endeavour.
Loud applause greeted college graduate Aporo Aruba when he was announced as the 2021 College Dux. His enduring positive attitude toward the college, his peers, and his duty to leadership, also saw him earn the Curtis Pitt Award for Citizenship and the Ampol Best All-rounder Award. He was modest and charitable upon reflection of his achievements.
“Just seeing my mates get their awards made me so proud,” he says.
“The advice that I have for younger students is to be proud of what you’ve done, even if it’s just the little things. Just keep focusing on what’s ahead of you.”
The relief on the faces of the graduates was evident, but so too was their gratitude. Edd Morel was particularly grateful for his teachers.
“I’d like to leave this school with a thank you to the teachers who helped me with my work and whenever I felt down. They picked me back up again.”
Djarragun College officially farewelled its graduates the following evening at the Year 12 Formal Dinner.