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HART Awards Celebrate Initiatives In Reconciliation

01 June 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is acknowledging those helping to progress reconciliation in Victoria.

Minister for Local Government Marlene Kairouz presented awards at the HART (Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together) awards today.

With 15 finalists over three categories, the HART Awards recognise outstanding initiatives in reconciliation within Local Government and Community.

The 2018 HART Award winners include:

  • City of Greater Shepparton for their Aboriginal Street Art Project
  • Lake Bolac Eel Festival Inc for Kuyang Lapakira (plenty eels)
  • Inner North West Primary Care Partnership for their project Working in Two Worlds

This year’s winners and finalists show that when Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians and organisations commit to meaningful, two-way relationships, there is opportunity for tremendous change.

The Labor Government is working towards reconciliation in Victoria through a treaty process and made history in March this year as the first Australian state to introduce treaty legislation.

This work is creating a new relationship between government and the Aboriginal community to achieve long-term change and improved outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.

The HART awards were first held in 2014 and coincide with National Reconciliation Week.

The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week, “Don’t keep history a mystery: Learn. Share. Grow”, encourages the community to partake in, enjoy, and learn about the rich cultural history of Aboriginal Victorians.

The Awards are a partnership between the Victorian Local Governance Association and Reconciliation Victoria, supported by Bank Australia and Local Government Victoria.

For more information on HART and all finalists visit reconciliationvic.org.au/hart-awards.

Quote attributable to Minister for Local Government Minister Kairouz

“It’s important to celebrate the partnerships that exist between local government and Aboriginal communities. Only by working together will we achieve reconciliation in Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins

“Reconciliation Week is a time for all Victorians to gain a greater understanding of Aboriginal cultures and history, celebrating the vibrant Aboriginal community in this state.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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