December 12, 2012
By Marcus Priaulx
“Each one must teach one” was the message Leaf Bennet handed to the Cherbourg State School Year 7 students at their graduation ceremony on Monday night.
The Queensland Reds Indigenous Program Manager had this motto drummed into him as a boy by his great-grandmother.
He said she had no formal education but yet she spoke three languages and four dialects and taught herself to do many things. She was walked to Cherbourg Mission at a younger age than the students before him.
“Education is the key,” Mr Bennet said.
“If I never learned how to read and write I’d have never conquered the things I have.”
The former youth delegate to the United Nations congratulated the parents, family, school and community members who supported the children’s education. Almost 100 people were present on the night.
Mr Bennett asked the children to make the most of high school as they would make many friends and learn more than ever before if they made the most of the opportunities given to them.
“You’ll make relationships there that are really important,” he said.
“Respect those relationships and, more importantly, respect yourself.”
