Good Morning, Mr Sarra

(Paperback, 2nd ed.)

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A 10-year anniversary edition of a classic Indigenous memoir When Chris Sarra arrived as the first Aboriginal principal of Cherbourg State School, it was a time of high hopes but low expectations in Indigenous education. Over six years, he transformed the school into a national success story. Along the way, he battled the media, the education system and a culture of complacency. Good Morning, Mr Sarra is the inspiring life story of a young boy from a country town who grew up to become Queensland's Australian of the Year, a subject of ABC's Australian Story and one of the most outspoken and recognised educators in the country. His leadership institute and its nationally acclaimed 'strong and smart' philosophy, now used in many schools, means that Indigenous children no longer hope for a better education; they can expect it. In this anniversary edition, Chris Sarra reflects on his recent life and career achievements, from becoming a marathon runner to advocating for the marginalised as a director-general in state government, and how his work is helping forge a path to Treaty.

Author Bio

Dr Chris Sarra is a proud Gurang Gurang/Taribelang man from Bundaberg in Queensland. The youngest of ten children, he became the first Aboriginal principal of Cherbourg State School in Queensland in 1998, where he significantly improved the educational and life outcomes of students. He did this through a 'strong and smart' philosophy, which encourages students to have a positive sense of cultural identity and embrace positive community leadership. In 2005, he founded the Stronger Smarter Institute, which works with schools and community leaders across Australia to deliver the stronger smarter approach to Indigenous students. He has a PhD in Psychology and is currently director general, Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships in the Queensland government.