10 September, 2014

No one was more surprised than NSWALC Councillor Anne Dennis when she was announced the winner of a major award at the TAFE NSW Gili Awards.

Councillor Dennis, who received the Directors Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Aboriginal education in NSW, said she was at the awards ceremony because she had been in Sydney for a NSWALC meeting.

“I’d never been to a Gili Awards and I only attended this one because I was in Sydney for work that day,” she said, “so I was completely caught by surprise but honoured when they announced the award.”

“My focus is making sure that education matches employment opportunities and that our students get the right practical skills and experience in their courses.”

A Gamilaraay woman who has lived most of her life in Walgett, Councillor Dennis was a primary school teacher for 15 years and worked in Tamworth, Dubbo and Redfern.

She is also the Chair of TAFE Western’s Aboriginal Community Reference Group, and Management Committee member of NSW State Aboriginal Education Consultative Group of which she is also a life member.

The TAFE NSW Gili Awards celebrate and recognise the achievements of Aboriginal TAFE NSW students, staff and programs that have contributed to Aboriginal communities through training and education.