Queanbeyan South Public School student Briana Carino received the Prime Minister's NAIDOC Week Medal. Photo: Andrew Johnston.
QUEANBEYAN South Public School student Briana Carino was one of only 20 students from across the state to receive a Prime Minister's NAIDOC Week Medal on Wednesday.
The 11-year-old was awarded for a poem she wrote about the spirit of reconciliation.
The youngster said she was inspired by the struggle of Australia's indigenous people and the establishment of the Tent Embassy on the lawn of Parliament House in 1972 however when she penned the piece she was thinking about the concept in a global context.
"I think Reconciliation Day is important because it signifies when wars and things like that pause in everybody's minds and we can celebrate reconciliation," she told the Age.
Her teacher, Peter Papoulis, was extremely proud of her achievements. He said she was a bright girl who had a well balanced view of society.
"I was really pleased for her," he said.
"She has strength in in her English and literacy, particularly her writing ... (she is also very) accepting and tolerant of others."
Briana was surprised by the win and described it as one of the biggest achievements of her life.