The largest cohort of high school graduates was celebrated at the 2014 Shoalhaven Aboriginal Graduation on Monday.
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There were 56 excited year 12 graduates at the presentation held at Bomaderry Bowling Club.
University of Wollongong Shoalhaven head of campus Robbie Collins said there had been a huge increase in Aboriginal graduates since 2003.
“When we started [the program] there were just seven graduates,” she said.
“In just 10 years we have got 56 students graduating at once … we have already seen the changes within the community due to this increase.
“The Aboriginal community is such a significant part of the Shoalhaven and the potential the young people are showing is fantastic.”
Vincentia High School graduate Kenny Dann worked extremely hard and his mother, Justine Brown-McLeod, said she was very proud.
Four generations of family members attended the ceremony to cheer on 17-year-old Mr Dann, including his great-grandmother Isabelle McLeod (Auntie Belle).
“Kenny is the first of 74 grandchildren to graduate year 12,” Mrs Brown-Mcleod said.
“He has also just finished a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship with the Australian Federal Police in Canberra.
“Kenny has been playing first grade AFL with Nowra Blues and also the rising stars squad in Canberra.
“He is hoping for a career in football.”
Ulladulla High – Brad Cullen, Blake Nolan, Jordan Salafia and Jessica Smith-Hughes; St John the Evangelist High – Misha Chewying, Bree Collins, Lauren Henry and Bradley Seymour; Bomaderry High – Mitchell Campbell, Nathan Bloxsome, Gemma Devries, Jessica Parnell, Rikki Jones and Dimity Hall; Nowra Anglican College – Lhani Kelly and Jessica Chapman; Nowra High – Jenayha Helmons, Amy Ramires, James Ardler-Martin, Mathew Jones-Bell, Kyen Langton, Gregory Seymour and Lindsay Sheargold; Shoalhaven High – Jessica Bell, Caitline Christiansen, Thomas D’Elboux, Leyte De Lepervanche, Cassandra Gill, Hannah Hallet, Bradley Pholi, Yvonne Raymonde, Tamika Smith and Corinne Eva Tillett; Vincentia High – Lewis Archibald, Serina Bird, Codie Brown, Melleak Brown, Teagan Brown, Sharaya Dane, Kenny Dann, Harley Grundy, Tyson Jones, Nick Kavanagh, Gina Kelly, Kira Kennedy, Dwayne Longbottom, Kanika McLeod, Bri Mcleod-Cosgrove, Daniel Seckold, Merinda Stewart, Skye Sturgeon, Corey Stynes and Koby Williams; Kiama High – Mara Willingham, Tyra Bray, Thomas Gehrmann and Helena Lee.