Wurreker Awards 2022
Our Wurreker awards triumphantly returned this year on the 15th December, held at the Aboriginal Advancement League, AAL. The Wurreker awards allow us to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations in the field of Koorie post-compulsory education & training.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic VAEAI unfortunately had been unable to host the Wurreker Awards since 2019, making this year’s ceremony the 17th occasion. Kylie Belling, Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and South Sea Islander actress was the MC for the evening, with addresses given by VAEAI President and Bangerang, Wiradjuri woman, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson along with Lil Healey the Deputy Secretary for Education and Training in Victoria.
Those in attendance were also treated to very special musical performances by Uncle Ron Murray, Wamba Wamba musician and Madi Colville-Walker, Yorta Yorta singer songwriter.
The Wurreker award winners were spread across 10 categories ranging from both the private and public sectors of education and employment.
Teacher/Trainer Award
The winner of the Teacher/ Trainer award was Laree Hills of Sunraysia Institute of TAFE. Laree has been the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts (ATSICA) teacher at SuniTAFE since 2018, helping to develop and establish the Cert I/I, III, IV ATSICA programs in Mildura and in Swan Hill.
Community Based Employee Award
Rhonda Penney from CVGT Employment Bendigo won the Community Based Employee award. Penney, a proud Palawa woman, has worked with CVGT Employment for over 14 years and has been instrumental in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their journey to employment.
Community Based Employer
The Community Based Employer award went to Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation from Wodonga. MAC aims to improve and expand culturally appropriate access and participation in education, training, and career pathways for its employees. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wodonga TAFE during NAIDOC Week in 2021 to form a formal partnership.
Government Employer Award
DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning) won the Government Employer award. DELWP Gippsland aims to continually develop a culturally safe place for employees and a strong focus on shared learnings and development from both within and external to the Department. Currently 25 employees within DELWP Gippsland identify as First Nations People, representing 4% of their workforce, and showing continuing year on year growth.
Public Sector Award
The winner for the Public Sector award went to Ben Rotheram, an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Specialist. Ben performs a critical role in completing heritage values checks to ensure the protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage through the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP).
Private Sector Employer Award and Private Sector Employee Award
The award for Private Sector employer went to Wamarra. Their dedication to making a meaningful impact on the economic independence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities through long-term, meaningful career opportunities helps to create a culturally safe and inclusive environment to grow and thrive in.
Allan Norris won the Private Sector Employee award. Allan is a proud Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri man working for Wamarra, a highly respected majority-owned Aboriginal civil construction company based in Spotswood. He was Wamarra’s first employee, brought on as a qualified carpenter.
Government Employer Award and TAFE Provider Award
DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning) won the Government Employer award. DELWP Gippsland aims to continually develop a culturally safe place for employees and a strong focus on shared learnings and development from both within and external to the Department. Currently 25 employees within DELWP Gippsland identify as First Nations People, representing 4% of their workforce, and showing continuing year on year growth.
The TAFE provider award went to TAFE Gippsland. TAFE Gippsland have worked in collaboration with GLaWAC (Gunai Kurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation) for the past 15 years on conservation and land management training. Since 2016, the two organisations have co-located at TAFE Gippsland’s Forestec campus, at Kalimna in East Gippsland. TAFE Gippsland has three Koorie Units, which host Koorie Liaison and Koorie Engagement Officers, as well as trainers in Koorie Studies.
Non-TAFE Provider Award
The William Cooper Institute from Monash University won the Non-TAFE provider award. This is Australia’s first Indigenous-led business leadership program, designed by and open only to Indigenous Community. The program provides positive outcomes for the Koorie community through its successful program design, grounded in innovative co-design, a focus on equitable access and our collaborative strengthening of Indigenous business leadership.
Dr Mary Atkinson Award
The highly prestigious Dr Mary Atkinson award that is awarded to Koorie Organisations was won by Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service. They are the lead specialist Aboriginal-specific family violence service provider in the eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne. In partnership with Swinburne University, Boorndawan has designed and commenced the delivery of a Graduate Certificate in Client Assessment and Case Management for Aboriginal Family Violence Practitioners.
Special Recognition Award
A Special Recognition Award was given to Aunty Stephanie Charles for her ongoing commitment to Koorie Education. Aunty Steph, a Wemba Wemba elder, was celebrated for her strong cultural advocacy in education, language reclamation and community support. Having been involved in Koorie Education for 30 years and a LAECG chair for over two decades, it was important that VAEAI recognise Aunty Steph’s achievements as she has been an integral part of the community and an inspiration for all Koorie educators.
VAEAI would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this event possible and congratulate all finalists on their achievements this year.
Full list of award recipients
Teacher/ Trainer:
Laree Hills
Sunraysia Institute of TAFE
Community Based Employee:
Rhonda Penney
CVGT Employment
Public Sector Employee:
Ben Rotheram
DELWP Gippsland
Private Sector Employee:
Allan Norris
Wamarra
Community Based Employer:
Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation
Government Employer:
DELWP Gippsland
Private Sector Employer:
Wamarra
Koorie Organisation- Dr Mary Atkinson Award: Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service
TAFE Provider:
TAFE Gippsland
Non-TAFE Provider:
William Cooper Institute, Monash University
Masters of Indigenous Business Leadership Program