[Greens-Media] Ballina MP celebrates NAIDOC Week and Aboriginal Student of the Year

[Ria Keenan]

Ballina MP celebrates NAIDOC Week and Aboriginal Student of the Year

Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith, proudly walked with the Aboriginal community in Ballina yesterday to celebrate the start of NAIDOC week.

Ms Smith said, "With this year's theme 'Songlines: the living narrative of our nation', it was very special to be connected to our Bundjalung Aboriginal Community and share in their ancestral connection to country."

Ms Smith addressed the gathering saying, "It is a fantastic time to celebrate the first Aboriginal woman in the New South Wales parliament - however, hugely overdue - but a bizarre moment to see Pauline Hanson back in the Australian parliament with her racist and outdated views."

Ms Smith was also delighted to announce Ballina High School student Jenique Sines has received the 2016 Aboriginal Student of the Year Award for the Ballina Electorate.

"Jenique is an outstanding young woman who is involved in many social and academic activities that support community," said Tamara Smith.

"Jenique has been involved in the Aboriginal Student Leadership Program since 2013, received the Leila Roberts Award for Academic Achievement in 2015, has a scholarship from Roads and Maritime Services and a traineeship with ANZ Bank."

When Jenique finishes High school she plans to study engineering at university.

The Aboriginal Student of the Year is a new annual award recognising young people who demonstrate leadership within their school and local community.

Tamara Smith was proud to present Jenique with her Award during NAIDOC Week; it consists of a certificate and a gift voucher in recognition of her achievements.

Ends.

Ria Keenan
Office of Tamara Smith, Member for Ballina
Office 1, 7 Moon Street, Ballina
Phone: 02 6686 7522
Website: www.tamarasmith.com.au<http://www.tamarasmith.com.au>
The office of Tamara Smith MP respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we work - the Bundjalung Nation.