Mr White gave this message to more than 130 people at the Armidale Ex-Services Club at the Giyanha Dirrabuu Murri (future outstanding Aboriginal) Awards.

The awards, in their third year, are staged by the NSW Department of Education and Training.

After a welcome to country by a local Anaiwan elder, Lesley Widders, the Armidale High School Traditional Boy Dance Group took to the stage.

A series of awards were then presented to high achieving Aboriginal students from around the New England. Honours were also presented to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teachers, staff, community members and schools.

Guest speakers included Simon Taylor from the Namoi Management Catchment Authority and Blake Walsh from Inverell High who performed a rap song for the audience which was part of his Year 12 Aboriginal Studies major work.

Further entertainment was provided by dancers from Drummond Memorial Public School and a solo performance by Armidale musician Anthony Green.