The nomination must contain comprehensive information on the achievements and how the candidate has gone above and beyond. The nomination should include recent specific examples of how the nominee’s achievement(s) has been outstanding. The nomination should be written in a format that is suitable for publication and must include correct grammar and punctuation and be no longer than 200 words.

Before beginning to fill out the nomination form you will need to gather the following key information:

• Details of the person you are nominating.

• A nomination statement of up to 200 words, of who/why you are nominating, including the area(s) in which they have excelled.
  

• Examples of how they have demonstrated outstanding qualities, including notable achievements.

• Previous awards or recognition received by the nominee (if any).

• A photo of the nominee. Students must be in their school uniform, such as their official school photo. The photo must be of high quality and suitable for publication in the Nanga Mai Awards program, should the nominee be successful. By submitting the photo through this nomination process, you confirm that parental and/or caregiver consent has been obtained for the use of this photo

• Endorsement by the Principal and acknowledgment by the local or regional AECG representative. Visit the NSW AEGC Inc. website to find your AECG representatives.
  

• Please note: if your area does not have an AECG executive representative, contact the state secretariat 02 9550 5666.

Student Awards Nomination Form

Staff Awards Nomination Form

School and Community Awards Nomination Form

SBAT and TVET Awards Nomination Form

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal teachers, other Departmental staff, community members and NSW Public Schools including preschools are all eligible to be nominated.

Please refer to the award categories outlined below for eligibility for each award.

Anyone employed by NSW Department of Education can submit a nomination for an award. Before you commence the online nomination, you will be required to certify that you are a Departmental employee.

Candidates can be nominated for more than one award but a new nomination form must be submitted for each category.

Nominations are presented to regional and state panels for consideration. Awards will be presented to outstanding Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teachers, other Departmental staff, community members and NSW Public Schools.

Regional panel members consist of:

• Senior Education Officer 2 (SEO2)
• Principal Representative
• Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer
• AECG representative (local/regional)

State panel members consist of representatives from:

• Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate
• Primary Principals Association; Secondary Principals Council
• NSW AECG (State)
• Aboriginal Education Council
• Parents & Citizens and NSW Teachers Federation

Nominators and/or Principals are advised of the outcome of nominations after the award ceremony and official publications if not the award winners.

Recipients of student and staff awards will be notified via email to the principal prior to the ceremony. Recipients of School and Community awards will be notified directly via email prior to the ceremony.

Relevant information to support the organisation of the award ceremony will be communicated/sought at this time.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and excellence across a range of activities, including attendance, leadership, academic commitment and progress, community service, cultural commitments, and a positive attitude to school.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence in any curriculum area in 2026 and who have displayed a positive attitude to school and a commitment to their future.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated exceptional skills in promoting, encouraging, and supporting student participation across their school and in their community.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated exemplary skills in public speaking. The award recognises Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students’ ability to speak with authority and confidence and the ability to maintain audience interest.

Presented to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding talent and application in the performing, creative or visual arts.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has represented their school and community, demonstrated fairness, integrity, and outstanding achievement in sport.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has maintained outstanding commitment, effort, and application in completing their School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship, which includes high application to workplace training and VET course, alongside their HSC.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, commitment, effort, and application to completing their VET and HSC commitments.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employee of the NSW Department of Education who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, their families, and communities.

Presented to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employee within the NSW Early Education and Care sector who delivers authentic, culturally responsive care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, showing outstanding commitment to improving the educational outcomes for the students, their families, and communities.

Presented to a non-Aboriginal employee of the NSW Department of Education who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and a commitment to working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, their families, and communities.

Presented to an NSW Department of Education employee who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and capacity building among staff, schools and the school community and an ongoing commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.

Presented to a NSW Department of Education employee who has demonstrated strong commitment to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students through the implementation of a school Aboriginal languages program.

Presented to a non-school based employee of the NSW Department of Education who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the well-being and educational achievements of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.

Presented to a service that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating a respectful and culturally responsive learning environment for students, staff, families, and their local Aboriginal communities.

Presented to an Aboriginal community member who has contributed significantly to the successful educational achievement of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.

Presented to a school that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to respectful and productive partnerships with students, staff, parents, and their local Aboriginal communities.

Presented to a school or a community of schools that have demonstrated a strong commitment to establishing a culture of respect, caring and inclusive teaching practices which recognise, value, and meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.