Page 2439 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 31 July 2018
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have built strong connections and kinship ties with their families and communities across the ACT. Guest speakers from service providers attend their meetings, and this enables those organisations to identify service gaps through the grandmothers’ feedback. These women are always looking for ways to help their families and improve outcomes for their communities.
As Ms Le Couteur has mentioned, Dhani Gilbert is the scholar and youth of the year. Dhani is an emerging leader in our community and is also the 2018 young Canberra citizen of the year. Dhani is an activist and a volunteer for many community organisations and events, including Landcare, Sorry Day and Relay for Life. Dhani is passionate about environmental science and connection to country. She is also a member of the youth advisory council. As Dhani said:
This year’s theme (because of her, we can) has resonated deeply across the community, and proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s tireless efforts to support, grow, and sustain our futures. The spotlight deservedly shined a bright light on the fact that our women are a driving force of positive social change and can also be the unseen power behind the visible successes community leaders have achieved.
Hear, hear! The ACT NAIDOC person of the year is, of course, Julie Tongs OAM. As Mr Milligan has said, Julie is a fierce advocate for Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Under her leadership of more than 20 years, Winnunga has gone from strength to strength. This award recognises her decades of service and advocacy for her community. I know firsthand that Julie’s commitment to her community is second to none, and I look forward to continuing to work with Julie in the years to come.
I am sure every community wishes they had a Julie Tongs, and I am sure every community wishes they had a Kim Davison too. Again, Mr Milligan eloquently described Kim and the enormous contribution she makes to our community. I also greatly enjoy Kim’s company and appreciate her wisdom and deep commitment to her people.
The achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women also featured prominently at the national NAIDOC awards. The achievements of June Oscar AO, Aunty Patricia Anderson AO, and Aunty Lynette Nixon were all recognised. June Oscar was awarded the 2018 national NAIDOC person of the year in recognition of her work championing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially women and children, and her tireless work to preserve ancient languages.
Pat Anderson’s lifetime of work and achievements were recognised with the NAIDOC lifetime achievement award. As she said on the night, “About time.” Aunty Pat has devoted her life to improving the health, welfare and education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Change maker, culture keeper, mother and mentor to many, Aunty Lynette Nixon received the female elder of the year award. Aunty Lynette’s work for her community goes back to 1972, when she served as the Mitchell Aboriginal community kindergarten president.
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