24 Aug 2016
When 16-year-old Ngali Shaw was named 2016 Aboriginal Student of the Year for the Dubbo electorate he couldn't believe it.
The Year 10 Dubbo College student and accomplished dancer said he, together with parents Zeke Shaw and Alison Salt, were thrilled beyond measure.
Ngali, meaning "belong to us", has been a student at Delroy Campus for four years.
He credits Delroy student learning support officer Doug Gordon with introducing him to dance during Year 7, as part of the school's boys' Yindyamarra dance group.
"Before I met Doug I hadn't really been exposed to dance as an art form," Ngali said.
"But right from the start with the Delroy Aboriginal dance group I felt really at home and had a sense that dance was a great means of self-expression.
"Doug has been a great teacher and mentor to me and the other boys in the Delroy dance group.
"We've performed with Yindyamarra at a lot of important events, and when we performed at the opening of the Dubbo Ballet Studio two years ago I was lucky enough to be offered a scholarship.
"As a result I've been training there each week with other students and I really enjoy it.
"In fact I like dancing so much that at this stage I would like to aim for a career in dance after I finish school in a couple of years."
Ngali is one of three students from Dubbo College to be selected in the 2016 State Aboriginal dance group to perform at the Sydney Dance Festival next month and the Schools' Spectacular in November.
He is a regular at Delroy Campus on the didgeridoo, a skill taught to him by his father Zeke. Ngali is also part of the Delroy Clontarf Academy, which uses rugby league as a tool for building confidence and leadership in young Aboriginal men.
Dubbo College executive principal Stacey Exner said the College was thrilled to have Ngali recognised in the electorate for his excellent leadership skills.
"Ngali leads by example and is a great role model for other students in the College," she said.
"I have seen Ngali grow in confidence during the past three and a half years and I know he strives to achieve his creative, sporting and academic goals.
"He makes an important contribution to Dubbo College and being recognised in the electorate is a great credit to his attitude and commitment."