A strong focus on delivering quality education to Indigenous students has earned a former Wellington man a prestigious award at the 2017 National Dreamtime Awards.
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Nathan Towney was named Teacher of the Year alongside Brothers 4 Recovery co-founder, Jeffery Amatto, who was awarded Community Person of the Year.
Mr Towney – the principal of Newcastle High School – said he felt honoured to receive the award.
“It’s really nice to be acknowledged,” he said.
“It’s a bit overwhelming and felt a bit funny to be on the same stage as some pretty famous people, and to share that night with Jeff was pretty nice – we went to the same Kindergarten class at Wellington Public School, so it was really special.”
Mr Towney developed a course through the NSW Teachers Federation in 2014 to assist teachers who share a common goal of improving the outcome for Aboriginal students.
“I deliver the course with other Aboriginal principals and staff,” he said.
“The feedback’s always extremely positive, they feel they have some real practical strategies they can take back to their schools to engage the community and work with their Aboriginal students.
“There are other organisations that run professional learning but this is the only one delivered by Aboriginal people in schools.
“Obviously working as a school leader with Aboriginal students it is a priority for me being a proud Wiradjuri man, so that’s a proud focal point of mine.”
Mr Towney said although he currently resides in Newcastle, his former stomping ground in the Central West will always be home.
“I couldn’t think of a better place to grow up,” he said.
“I absolutely love the community and I was very much involved with the footy and golf clubs, and played every sport that was on offer growing up.
“I absolutely loved growing up in the town and love going home now.”
