Melville High School Girls Academy opening launch was held on the afternoon of Thursday, June 29.
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It was a dark, cold and rainy evening but it didn’t stop the 140 guests made up of the community, staff, parents and students from attending.
As everyone was arriving Uncle Blue (Harold Smith) was doing the Smoking Ceremony and Nigel Kennedy was playing the Didgeridoo.
Once everyone was inside and seated Uncle Bob Smith and Mesharlie White did "Welcome to Country" in Dunghutti and English.
Melville HS Girls Academy students Sean Borger and Georgia Rose were the Masters of Ceremony and did an excellent job.
Then Ricky Grace, Girls Academy Founder and CEO address the audience of the importance of the programs "BIG 4" Objectives - improve attendance, educational and personal support, improve Year 12 Graduation rates and facilitate post-school transition into employment, education or further training.
Once Ricky had finished his address, Mayor of Kempsey Shire Council Liz Campbell spoke about the importance of this program in our local schools.
The support and mentoring that our young Aboriginal girls will gain through such a program that offers education support, extra activities and sporting programs that will make them the next generation of leaders within our community.
The official opening with unveiling of the plaque by Liz Campbell and cake cutting by Ricky Grace Girls Academy Founder and CEO, Uncle Bob, Uncle Blue, Aunty Jacqui, Jeff Hollingsworth, MHS Principal, Nancy Pattison, Red Cross, Renzee Sines, Mission Australia, Sarah Heuston and Nakitta Green, MHS GA students, Robyn Townsend Program, Manager and Bryhana Reilly, Development Officer of the Melville HS Girls Academy.
Our audience was graced by nine young ladies from the Melville High School Girls Academy Choir that sung a beautiful rendition of a Jessica Mauboy song.
Then to top the evening off Jorja Egar-Hoskins, Georgia Rose and Nigel Kennedy sung a song by Archie Roach, "Took the Children Away", which left everyone tingling and breathless.