Premier’s Excellence Awards Recognising Leadership in Aboriginal communities

Recognising that Aboriginal community strength and commitment is key to closing the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Paul Lynch MP, announced the Inaugural Premier's Excellence Awards Recognising Leadership in Aboriginal Communities during NAIDOC Week 2008. The awards provide the opportunity for both communities and the Government to recognise the invaluable work that is already underway and for the tireless effort that is being made by Aboriginal people across the State. It is open to people or Aboriginal organisations delivering services to the community in key categories reflecting the NSW State Plan focus. The award winners were announced at a special event on Monday 17 November 2008.

AWARD WINNERS 2008

Health - Wellbeing: Body and Mind

KARI won this category for their work in developing the KARI Clinic. KARI run a number of programs to service the Aboriginal community in the South West region of Sydney as well as offering culturally appropriate out of home care services. The KARI clinic identifies and prioritises the developmental and health needs of Indigenous children and young people who are part of the out of home care program by offering health and developmental assessments. Services offered include developmental screening, behavioural assessments, referral to speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

Health - Healthy Environment

Olga Manton won this award for her leading role in resolving conflict in the Eden-Pambula estate, her leadership role in the Aunty Jeans program for improving Aboriginal Health and her strong advocacy role in breaking down the barriers between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people.

Employment - Getting on with Business

Glen Duncan won this category in recognition of his respect for others as well as his good solid experience in employment. Glen was deeply involved in the development' of Jobfind's Budd-Jitja Works for Life Program which has just been launched. He was also instrumental in working with Jobfind staff to help them understand some of the barriers faced by Aboriginal job seekers and how the program could be used to overcome these.

Building Community Leadership

The Gully Traditional Owners were presented with this award because of the partnerships they developed, their inclusive approach and the positive nature of their community based, ground up organisation. The community leadership demonstrated by the Gully Traditional owners in establishing, with the Blue Mountains City Council, a Co-operative Management committee to manage the Gully has furthered the values underpinning its declaration as an Aboriginal Place. The Gully Traditional Owners Inc have provided a way forward in partnership with the Blue Mountains City Council, to ensure that the land is managed consistently with being an Aboriginal Place.

Strong Communities - Family Support and Assistance

This was awarded to Hornsby Aboriginal Corporation because of the group's tireless work. They have established a community network which has become the touchstone for Aboriginal people to gather and reinforce their cultural identity and improve the gap in Family Services and community assistance. This service has been especially important for victims of the Stolen Generation. The work of the members of this group is voluntary and they have proved to be an excellent role model to other organisations working in the area of Aboriginal Community Development.

Education - Learning and Knowledge

Peter Cooley runs a two stroke engine program in schools that has an 80% retention rate and has had a positive flow on effect to the overall student's school participation rates - especially in Year's 9 and 10 when Aboriginal students are at most risk of disengaging from the school system. His program also deals with low literacy rates in students by getting them to build their cars by reading diagrams and works on numeracy skills by using practical examples relevant to cars. The program is taught via the building of a remote control race car which students get to keep if they remain in the school system.

Education - Learning and Knowledge

Owen Craigie set up the "Drive about don't walk about" program, recognising that for many Aboriginal people, the lack of a drivers license was a major impediment to both employment and social inclusions. Since its inception the program has trained 60 Aboriginal people in the Newcastle area to get their learners permit and they are now well on their way to getting their full licences. This program is now being spread through-out the state.