- Published:
- Thursday 27 August 2015
The state-wide Koori Community Justice Awards held today recognised individuals and groups who work hard to improve justice outcomes for the Koori community.
Attorney-General Martin Pakula congratulated award recipients at today’s ceremony held at the Aborigines Advancement League.
Award winners are selected at regional level and are then eligible for the eight biennial state-wide awards.
The awards recognise the tireless work being undertaken in education, employment, working with young people, innovative and creative programs and importantly the contribution of Koori Elders.
This year has also seen the introduction of an award in memory of Uncle Alf Bamblett, recognising the leadership and guidance within the community and government he provided throughout his life.
The Dr Alf Bamblett Memorial Award recognises an individual who has demonstrated excellence in achieving positive justice outcomes for the Koori community over time.
The inaugural winner of this award was Uncle Wayne ‘Swisha’ Bell, who has been honoured posthumously for his commitment to improving justice outcomes for the Koori community. He was recognised particularly for his work as a Client Service Officer at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Barwon South West office and his 20 years of volunteer work with the Palawarrra Aboriginal Community Justice Panel on a local, regional and state-wide level.
A full listing of today’s winners can be found below.
Quotes attributable to Attorney General Martin Pakula
“We’re proud to work with the Koori community and the biennial state-wide Koori Community Justice Awards allows us to pay tribute to those who have achieved excellence in improving justice outcomes.”
“Congratulations to all the recipients of these awards who have contributed significantly to addressing the over-representation of Koori Victorians in our criminal justice system.”
“The work that all nominees do in the community is vital to achieving a better outcome for Koories in contact with the justice system.”
2015 State-wide Koori Community Justice Award Winners
| Category | Winner |
| Dr Alf Bamblett Memorial Award
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or organisation achieving positive justice outcomes for the Koori community. |
Uncle Wayne "Swisha" Bell |
| Adult and Elder Award
Acknowledging excellence of an adult or an Elder who promotes positive justice outcomes for the Koori community. |
Uncle Alf Bamblett |
| Children and Youth
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or organisation in an initiative that promotes positive justice outcomes for children and youth. |
Aunty Jemmes Handy |
| Employment and Career Development
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or an organisation in Koori employment and career development that promotes positive justice outcomes. |
Ms Bonnie Dukakis |
| Employment and Career Development
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or an organisation in Koori employment and career development that promotes positive justice outcomes. |
Mr Peter Lovett |
| Leadership Innovation
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or group who demonstrates leadership in development and innovation of an initiative that promotes positive justice outcomes for the Koori community. |
Mr Norm Stanley |
| Leadership Innovation
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or group who demonstrates leadership in development and innovation of an initiative that promotes positive justice outcomes for the Koori community. |
Mr Paul Thornton |
| RAJAC / LAJAC Innovation
Acknowledging excellence that demonstrates innovation in a Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC) or Local Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (LAJAC) initiative that promotes positive justice outcomes for the Koori community. |
Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited |
| Reconciliation and Partnership
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or an organisation that focuses on reconciliation and partnerships while promoting positive justice outcomes for the Koori community. |
Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation Co-operative |
| Strengthening Culture
Acknowledging excellence of an individual or organisation in an initiative that focuses on cultural strengthening while promoting positive justice outcomes for the Koori community. |
Minajalku Healing Centre |