Pauline McLeod 2008 Awards for Reconciliation

Pauline McLeod was a prominent advocate of reconciliation. Throughout her life she was recognised as a versatile, multi-talented artist who excelled in all facets of the media. It was through her skill as a storyteller and performer that she spread awareness of indigenous culture and heritage. Using her talents, Pauline opened the way for improved respect and understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous people.The Pauline McLeod Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals or organisations that have made a significant contribution to reconciliation in their communities.

Nominations for the Pauline McLeod Youth Award and the Pauline McLeod Award were open for people in the LGAs of Botany, City of Sydney, Leichhardt, Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra.

The winners of the 2008 Pauline McLeod awards for reconciliation were:
Ann and Ted Robinson and the Tamarama Surf Lifesaving Club jointly for the ‘Holly Days’ Program
(Nominated by Peter O'Hara and Tracey Cooley)
The ‘Holly Days’ program has been a successfully developing Surf Lifesaving and Life Skills Program organised by Ann and Ted Robinson in loving memory of their daughter ‘Holly’ and run by the community of volunteers at Tamarama Surf Lifesaving Club.  La Perouse kids have been encouraged by the ‘Holly Days’ Surf and Life Skills Nippers Program to overcome shyness and to grow in confidence and in interacting with the surf community, and some participants have been motivated to go on and work at accomplishing the skills needed for the ‘Bronze Medallion’ in Surf Lifesaving.

Pauline McLeod Youth Award 2008
Craig Ashby
(Nominated by Randwick Council)
Craig is currently a 3rd year university student studying a Bachelor of Education – at the same time Craig is a Project Officer with the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NACSA). Alongside studies and work, Craig volunteers for a number of different charitable and other organisations working with youth, the homeless and other disadvantaged people, and the Catholic community more broadly. He is also a board member of the NSW Reference Group for Indigenous students attending boarding schools. Craig has worked in Redfern and Waterloo, volunteering at schools and mentoring a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. He has also travelled to central Australia to communities such as Papunya as part of the ARMtour Program. As an indigenous youth of Walgett, Craig understands the importance of education and positive role models.

Pauline McLeod Award 2008
Gillian Fisher
(Nominated by ESORA)
About 10 years ago Gillian Fisher thought the wider community should have a better understanding of Aboriginal history, culture and experience. Gillian approached the Eastern Suburbs Community College in Bondi. She suggested an Aboriginal studies course with 9 Indigenous speakers and 9 topics. The idea came to fruition. The course became known as ‘Building Bridges – Reconciliation through Understanding’. The course is going strong with 3 terms a year. We know that several hundred people have done the course with some coming back a second time.

Reconciliation Week Primary Schools Art Competition

The Reconciliation Week Primary School Art Competition aims to raise awareness of the issues that surround reconciliation and give children the opportunity to reflect on what reconciliation means to them, on the achievements gained so far and on what must still be done.

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2008 will be Reconciliation in Our Neighbourhood. This theme recognises that reconciliation takes place not only on a national level but is bound to the actions of each individual in our local community.

The Competition was open to Primary Schools in the LGAs of Botany Bay, City of Sydney, Leichhardt, Randwick, Waverley or Woollahra.

The Winners of the 2008 Reconciliation Week Primary Schools Art Competition, announced during reconciliation week were: 

• Junior Winner: Madeline Dawkins from South Coogee Public for We’re All in this Together
• Junior Runner Up: Ben Yeoh from OLR Kensington for Playing together in our Neighbourhood
• Senior Winner: Bronte Dean from Bronte Public for Hand in Hand
  
• Group Winner: La Perouse Public School for Reconciliation our Neighbourhood
• Group Highly Commended: Orange Grove Public School for Playing and Working Together
• Group Highly Commended: Woollahra Public School for Cooper Park Woollahra

For more information on Reconciliation in Woollahra please contact:
Cultural Development Coordinator
Telephone: 9391 7135
Fax: 9397 7044
Email: jo.jansyn@woollahra.nsw.gov.au