July 27

Mataranka School is nominated for the Torch-Bearer Award for their role in increasing harmony in the town. The school has instigated many special programs to teach good values to children, such as kindness, good health and concern for nature. It is the only self-sufficient school in the Northern Territory, with an animal shelter and a tree-planting program. (A new tree is planted for each of the new students as they arrive.) Since the arrival three years ago of the principal, Judith McLean, and her husband, school caretaker Bill Russell, the school has helped local Indigenous children in a positive and effective way, arranging a school bus to ensure that they can attend school. This program has been a winner, as the number of Indigenous students has grown from four to 20, all with good attendance rates.

Unfortunately, Judith and Bill were unavailable to receive their award. Instead, it was accepted by two of the students of Mataranka School: their children Auryn and Kari Russell.