Community
17 December, 2021
Popular student receives multiple awards
Djarragun College’s 2021 Presentation Day saw popular student, Aporo Aruba named as Dux for 2021 and also receive two other awards.
By Isaac McCarthy and Maria Larkins
Loud applause greeted College graduate Aporo Aruba when he was announced as the 2021 College Dux.
His enduring positive attitude to the College, his peers and his duty to leadership also saw him earn the Curtis Pitt Award for Citizenship and the Ampol Best All-rounder Award. He was modest and charitable upon reflection of his achievements. “Just seeing my mates get their awards made me so proud,” Aruba said.
“The advice that I have for younger students is to be proud of what you’ve done, even if it’s just the little things. Just keep focussing on what’s ahead of you,” he said.
The ceremony was a colourful display of Indigenous culture with the accomplishments of the Year 12 graduates celebrated in style.
At his first official event, new Campus Principal, Damien Gainsford, said he was proud of the students and the manner in which they were recognised.
“It was a fantastic celebration of student achievement today, and also their cultural identity,” he said. The relief on the faces of the graduates was evident, but so too was their gratitude. Edd Morel was particularly grateful of his teachers.
“I’d like to leave this school with a thank you to the teachers who helped me with my work and whenever I felt down, they picked me back up again,” Morel said.
The event, held on 17 November 2021, was well attended by student families, with some travelling from the furthest reaches of Queensland and the Torres Strait. They participated wholeheartedly in the congratulatory atmosphere as each of the 45 graduates received their leaver’s portfolio, a personalised academic record signalling the culmination of their scholastic endeavours.
