Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian of the Year Finalists Commended
Media Release – 26 November 2010
Reconciliation Australia Chief Executive Leah Armstrong has extended her congratulations to this year’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian of the Year finalists.
This year, seven Aboriginal Australians have gone through to the national finals which will be announced in Canberra next year.
Barry Abbott NT Senior Australian of the Year 2011
Prof Larissa Behrendt NSW Australian of the Year 2011
Vincent Buckskin SA Young Australian of the Year 2011
Kalinda Griffiths NT Young Australian of the Year 2011
Assoc Prof Noel Hayman Queensland Australian of the Year 2011
Djapirri Mununggirritj NT Local Hero 2011
Mary Victor O’Reeri WA Local Hero 2011
Ms Armstrong said: “It’s great to see so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being acknowledged for the work they do—especially for demonstrating good leadership and providing young Indigenous kids with solid role models they can look up to.
“I would particularly like to congratulate Reconciliation Australia Board Director Djapirri Mununggirritj for winning the Northern Territory Local Hero Award 2011 for her commitment to improving her community and the social equality of Indigenous people in general.”
The state and territory Australian of the Year recipients have been announced over the last month, with the final presentation taking place in Sydney last night.
This year there were 21 Aboriginal finalists and one Torres Strait Islander finalist—11 of whom were nominated in the Australian of the Year category.
Ms Armstrong said: “I would like to wish everyone—across all four categories—the very best of luck on January 25, as it is a great honour to be selected as a finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards.
“It is also important to note that a great number of non-Indigenous Australians were also nominated in this year’s state and territory finals for the remarkable work they’re doing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
Reconciliation Australia is the peak body promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.
Media Contact: Kylie Thompson 0418 633 277 or kylie.thompson@reconciliation.org.au
