Many Narrabri High School students move on to tertiary studies after graduating Year 12.
Some may continue living locally and study online, while others relocate for university.
Many even move to other states, including Olivia Bange (2017 school captain), Sarah Nash (2016 prefect and dux) and Giulio Heimoana (2015 school captain) who all relocated north to attend University of Queensland (UQ).
They’ve continued to be active members of their tertiary student body, participating in a number of the university’s clubs and societies.
The UQ Union clubs and societies awards night, held in late October, celebrated the hard work these – and many other – students have put in over the course of 2021.
Each ex-local attended the evening as members of a different club.
Ms Bange was there on behalf of the UQ Agricultural Science Society.
“I have been fortunate enough to be the president of the society this year, and will be continuing my position into 2022,” she said.
“This opportunity has really broadened my ag science network and we’ve facilitated a number of industry events this year.
“Unfortunately, our club didn’t receive an award but there’s always next year!”
Ms Nash represented Towards Rural and Outback Health Professionals in Queensland at the event.
She and other members of the club organised a fundraiser for not-for-profit BUSHkids, earlier this year.
Ms Nash’s event won ‘Event of the Year’ for a charitable cause.
Her background, as a student from a small country town, motivated her to support and promote the important work the organisation does in supporting the wellbeing of regional children and families in Queensland.
Ms Nash and Ms Bange found each other among the crowd on the evening, and reminisced on their high school days.
“Who’d have thought we, coming from a small regional high school, would be standing here at this reputable university making a difference to our peers,” they said.
“Narrabri High School was a big part of the journey to where we are now – I’m so proud of these UQ students and am just delighted to see former locals representing areas they are so passionate about,” Ms Bange added.
Meanwhile, Mr Heimoana represented his culture on the evening with the UQ South Pacific Islander Association (UQSPIA), a group that was set up at the university seven years ago.
His group entertained the crowd with a traditional performance that showcased their island homes on a grand scale.
Mr Heimoana’s club also took out an award for their event ‘Mana of Pacific: Gatton’, winning ‘Event of the Year’ with a cultural focus.
The association collaborated with UQ Life to share their Pacific cultures through song, dance and food at their award-winning event.
For this year’s Mana of the Pacifc, UQSPIA were able to travel to the university’s Gatton campus to perform.
“The club organised and performed dances from Niue, Samoa and Kiribati – there were also performances from the Heilani Dance Company and food influenced by Pacific cuisine,” Mr Heimoana said.
“However, I only joined last year, so the awards night was my first time performing in any Pacific routine.”
Just at their Gatton performance was, the club’s dance at the awards night was also inspired by Pacific cultures too.
The group shared their mixed war cry and mixed choir at the event.
“The war cry was made up of different battle cries from the Pacific, including Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Cook Island, and more,” Mr Heimoana said.
“It’s significant as it expresses ancestral power through performance to invoke mana and strength.”
Mr Heimoana says he’s loved exploring his culture and connecting with likeminded people at university.
“Since joining UQSPIA, I have been able to experience and learn about not just my own identity, but other Pacific cultures as well,” he said.
“Growing up in Narrabri, I didn’t have much exposure to Pacific and Tongan culture outside of my family, so joining an association like UQSPIA has helped me find a community where I can really embrace and learn more about my heritage.
“That was also my first time performing a Tongan item and I am grateful to have been a part of it.
“I was even able to lead the Tongan portion of the war cries, which was a really enjoyable role to fill.”
The Courier wishes the former Narrabri residents all the best for their tertiary studies and efforts at UQ clubs and societies.
See more on former local students:
- Wee Waa High School: where are they now?
- University graduates return to Narrabri
- Automation engineer Joab graduates at CUC
