Marni Morris, Year 9, presents the Acknowledgement of Country to the PM

Marni Morris, was invited by AIEF to present the Acknowledgement of Country at the Australian Economic Outlook event held in The Crown, Barangaroo on Friday 10 June.

14-year-old Marni delivered the acknowledgement of country in front of PM, Anthony Albanese and a crowd of hundreds on Friday, where she said she was thinking of her mum and her grandma.  "To me, being Aboriginal means family, home, culture and language," Marni told the Economic Outlook Forum, hosted by The Australian.

Marni with Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese at the Australian Economic Forum on Friday.

Marni, a proud Gamilaraay girl from Walgett, NSW, has been boarding at the College since 2021, thanks to an AIEF (Australian Indigenous Education Foundation) scholarship. "It's inspiring to hear the voices of the next generation of young Indigenous leaders, like Marni, talking about the issues that affect them, their families and their communities", said AIEF Executive Director, Andrew Penfold.

Marni Morris rubs shoulders with the PM and other dignitaries, including Phillip Lowe, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, at the recent Economic Forum.

About her speech in front of the Prime Minister, Marni said she felt "nervous and excited".  Nervous because she didn't want to mess anything up, and excited because she loves public speaking.

Marni loves Public Speaking and has been attending classes as part of one of the many programs offered through the Boarding House at PLC Sydney, since she was in Year 7. She contributes those classes to having really "improved her confidence".  Marni also loves Drama, so much so, she would like to become an actress one day and follow in the footstep of other great Australians like Deborah Mailman, who she admires greatly.

On advise from Deputy Head, Linda Chiba, when Marni met the Prime Minister, she broke the ice by mentioning, with a big smile, her family's long­ term support of the Prime Minister's beloved rugby league team, South Sydney. Marni is also a big Rabbitohs supporter, so that was an easy conversation starter.

Congratulations Marni, you did yourself and your school proud!