The AEU Reconciliation Award acknowledges an AEU member who demonstrates commitment to advancing reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.
Congratulations to Peter Kent, a most deserving recipient of the 2024 Reconcilation Award.
Under Peter’s leadership, Birrigai Outdoor School has become a beacon of cultural excellence, respected across the ACT.
By nurturing partnerships with the Ngunnawal and broader Aboriginal communities, Birrigai’s programs have been transformed into award winning On Country learning programs. Students are immersed in First Nations cultures and histories and challenged through truth telling to forge paths forward in reconciliation.
As well as providing highly sought after programs for students, Birrigai offers rich cultural integrity professional learning offerings for educators. Many of us cherish memories of time spent there.
Birrigai also serves as a welcoming space for local Aboriginal community members to undertake their own cultural knowledge sharing and practices. Through Peter’s work with local Ngunnawal Community members and government departments, Birrigai is supporting the revival of cultural burning in the ACT. This has paved the way for new education and research related to the care of Country.
Staff witness daily the direct outcomes of Peter’s drive, mentoring and stewardship. Peter personally models Birrigai’s ethos in every interaction. When faced with obstacles, he finds paths forward by listening deeply. This work is often challenging, and much of it occurs behind the scenes, but the success of Birrigai is testament to Peter’s genuine partnership with Ngunnawal and other Aboriginal people, and his determination to realise that partnership in education.