Brock Larance and Aunty Pat Doolan have been recognised with major NSW education awards.
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Brock, the Year 12 sports captain, and Ms Doolan, the former president of the Dubbo Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, received Nanga Mai awards, recognising their contribution to education in Dubbo. The awards recognise and support the work of Aboriginal students, teachers and department staff, as well as community members, who demonstrate excellence across diverse educational areas.
Ms Doolan said she "turned into a sook" when she was presented with the award.
"I see education as the key to achieving dreams. I tell kids to use education to keep their dreams alive," she said.
"It is so gratifying to see our kids doing so well and even at the awards ceremony I was approached by people who hadn't finished school but said they wanted to go back and complete their education."
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Ms Doolan said she was very grateful to Dubbo College for the nomination, although she wasn't involved in education for the accolades.
Delroy Campus principal Debbie Head was full of praise for Ms Doolan.
"Aunty Pat is a beautiful soul who is wise and inspirational," she said.
Aunty Pat is a beautiful soul who is wise and inspirational.
- Debbie Head
"She has helped me in my role as principal and her commitment to the whole college is critical for our students and staff."
Ms Head said Ms Doolan has been a driving force behind initiatives aimed at increasing the learning outcomes and higher education retention numbers for Aboriginal students.
Brock said he was nervous when he accepted the Nanga Mai award.
"I think it's important to stay humble and not get ahead of myself," he said.
"I am really fortunate to be surrounded by people who help me keep my feet firmly on the ground."
The 17-year-old is well known in the college and throughout the community for his skills with the bat and ball.
In 2018, at the age of 16, Brock was the youngest person ever selected in the open men's Australian Indigenous cricket team.
He was also selected in the western CHS boys' open cricket team and the NSW CHS open team.
He has been selected in the NSW and Australian under-17 cricket teams and won Clontarf sportsman of the year.
The education awards were presented at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.