By Kath Gannaway
Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin has received the Elders Award at the 2018 Eastern Metropolitan Region Naidoc Awards.
Other awards went to Jayden Crozier – Youth Education and Employment; Caring for Country – The HICSA (Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association) Bush Tucker Program; Leanne Henderson and Cora Green – Community Award, and Michael Hume – Youth Sporting Achievement.
The awards were presented at the annual Naidoc Ball held at the Dorset Gardens Hotel in Croydon on Friday, 13 July.
HICSA Community Engagement Worker Nikki Madgwick who MC’d the event contributions made and achievements during the year.
“It’s all about celebrating all the hard work we’ve been doing, the relationships formed along the way, and the healing,” she said.
“We’re so lucky in this eastern region to have so many people doing incredible things and going above and beyond what is expected, and that is reflected in these awards.
Kim was recognised as someone who is generous in sharing her culture as an artist and through schools, cultural days and community events.
“She has become a highly sought after Elder for Welcome to Country ceremonies all over Yarra Ranges and in the CBD and spends a lot of time preparing every Welcome to suit the individual needs of the occasion and the group,” her nominee said.
Jayden Crozier was recognised as a young man who is achieving great things at a young age with his interest in international relations and human rights.
The former Healesville High School student completed a six week internship with the United Nations earlier this year. He is studying a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, majoring in Politics and International Relations at Monash University.
The HICSA Bush Tucker Program has grown over the past five years to promote skills and to educate on bush tucker. The team is researching and growing a range of plants that Aboriginal people looked to to meet their needs around food, medicine, tools and weapons and incaring for country and keeping community healthy.
HICSA member Leanne Henderson was recognised for her voluntary work and her ‘can-do’ attitude and her caring, considerate and compassionate approach.
Leanne started with the Community Art Group and signed on as a volunteer helping with a broad range of tasks including the Tucker Bag program and encouraging community engagement.
Cora Green, a Gunnai woman from Gippsland, was recognised for her possum skin cloak work which has been used to raise funds and her cultural education for children through her art and development of cultural art programs.
Michael Hume, a Yorta Yorta man is a promising junior footballer who plays for Bayswater Football Club who is also involved with Eastern Ranges and Hawthorn Football Club’s football academy.
His nomination said he never misses training or a game.
“He shows exceptional skills and leadership in his games, and shows real potential in his future in footy and leadership in community.”
See more photos online at mailcommunity.com.au .
