Nathan Rollinson

School Sport

The first ever Girri Girri Sports Academy gala day was held in Bathurst on Thursday 20 September with Orange’s Canobolas Rural Technology High School emerging as the champions.

Around 50 students attended to compete in netball and touch at Bathurst High School with Girri Girri Sports Academy (GGSA) co-ordinator Nathan Rollinson lauding the inaugural event a success.

The GGSA was formed in late April and involves Aboriginal students from Bathurst High, Kelso High, Cowra High, Canobolas Rural Technology High School, Bourke High and Brewarrina Central School.

Academy Member Damon Bell achieved outstanding success at NSW State Finals (September 2007).

Friends and colleagues were literally out of their seats when Damon raced home to win the 400 metres. Damon Bell

Following the race, Damon said "Success couldn't have been sweeter" - an appropriate comment from an athlete whose favourite food is Honey Soy Chicken Chips!

Soccer is Damon's favourite sport. He follows Arsenal and recognises Thierry Henry as a great role model. Maybe with his new found speed, there'll be a place on the wing for Damon in the future!

Steve HallSteve Hall, Coaching and Development Officer for the NSW Rugby League Academy, http://nswrlacademy.leaguenet.com.au/ was impressed by the strength and determination of members of the Girri Girri Sporting Academy.

Over a three day period, from 20 to 22 August 2007, Academy Members met at Lake Burrendong NSW Sport and Recreation Centre. During this time, twenty five young men were taken through their paces by representatives of the NSW Rugby League Academy.

Steve Hall said "It was a great opportunity to assess the merits of keen young blokes from as far afield as Bourke, Brewarrina, Bathurst, Cowra and Orange."

‘Too Big A Story’ gets told

Dozens of high-profile Australians have joined a new Aboriginal reconciliation campaign to mark the fortieth anniversary of the right-to-vote referendum.

Reconciliation Australia launched the ‘Too Big A Story’ on Thursday 10 May 2007 in Sydney’s oldest, non-indigenous settlement, the Rocks.

Actor and TV presenter Michael Caton, AFL star Michael O’Loughlin, former federal government minister Fred Chaney, TV presenters Fuzzy Agolley and Andrew O’Keefe and ABC radio producer Susan Moylan-Coombs explained why they wanted to start a nationwide conversation about reconciliation.

Source: Western Advocate, 2007, Friday 11 May, p. 4.

Launch of Girri Girri Sports Academy

The Girri Girri Sports Academy for Indigenous Students was officially launched on Monday 18 June 2007.

Reflecting the dispersed nature of Girri Girri Sports Academy, the official launch was facilitated via a video link-up of individual sites in the towns of Bourke, Orange and Bathurst.

Academy Member, Natalie Fuller, started proceedings by addressing all participants with a Welcome to Country.