The Moree community came together in force on Friday night to celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups who are paving the way in reconciliation.
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The sixth annual Moree Reconciliation Awards were the biggest yet, with more than 350 people packing into Moree Town Hall to celebrate what's great about our town.
"Part of putting together the awards ceremony and celebrating excellence in Moree was so we would remember the good things to come out of our community ... and so we don't forget, regardless of the bad things ... that reconciliation is alive and well in Moree and we do all walk together," Moree Reconciliation Week committee co-chair Cathy Budda-Deen said.
This year's guest speaker was triple j weekend presenter Karla Ranby, who was born and raised in Moree. Karla, a descendent of the Benge, McGrady, Tighe and Griffith families of the Gomeroi nation, shared some of the stories of the struggles her grandparents and great grandparents have gone through and said it's important for people to share these stories so that we can heal together.
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"I think it's vitally important for our young people to know more than just the headline, however uncomfortable it might be," she told the crowd.
"So as well as the local pool, we hear stories of our people who couldn't enter municipal buildings, public toilets, this town hall where we gather here tonight. They weren't served in hotels, clubs, certain cafes. They had to sit in the front row of the cinema and it even affected access to basic healthcare. My grandmother told me stories of the McMaster Ward where her sister, my great aunt May worked as a nurse. It was the Aboriginal section at the back of Moree Hospital where Aboriginal nurses would look after Aboriginal patients. This is also where my own mother was born and I was honestly shocked to think of how recent it was, to think I knew people affected. I still find it pretty upsetting when I think of what people I know and love were up against, what they had to endure.
"Our nation's past is very much reflected in the present and will continue to play out in the future unless we can heal historical wounds together. And in true reconciliation, acknowledging the past together, creates healing."
Godfrey Swan was crowned Aboriginal male Elder of the Year for his dedication to the Moree community. Mr Swan believes in inclusiveness for the entire community and is on the board of Moree Local Aboriginal Lands Council, the SHAE Academy, the Moree Aboriginal Men's Group, Miyay Birray Youth Service and the Moree Boomerangs Rugby League Football Club. He studied art at Moree TAFE for many years, and helped establish the Mehi Murri Gallery.
Claude Magarry was named non-Aboriginal male Elder of the Year for his love for Moree which sees him volunteers his time for various organisations and charities. Having worked for council for 45 years, 30 as a union rep, Mr Magarry has many friends from all backgrounds, and has always led by example.
There were joint winners for the Aboriginal female Elder of the Year award, with Valmai Pitt and Mary Swan sharing the honour.
Ms Pitt has fought for Aboriginal people's rights and equality throughout her life, while maintaining her lifelong spirit of reconciliation. She is currently on the Moree Local Aboriginal Lands Council board and is very involved in the local community. She is an accomplished artist whose work is displayed in Moree Hospital and galleries throughout Australia.
Mrs Swan, who could only attend the Moree mission school until year six, eventually became an Aboriginal health worker before eventually undertaking a Diploma of Health Sciences aged in her 60s. She actively serviced her community for most of her life and continues to be involved with the community, most notably as an active member of the Pius X Elders' Group.
Colleen Nash was named the non-Aboriginal Female Elder of the Year for long involvement with various community groups and organisations, most notably as an active and loyal member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, of which she is president in Moree. Mrs Nash spends countless hours of her time volunteering with Vinnies and also offers her time and money to support local schools.
Kenneth Knox was announced as the Aboriginal male Citizen of the Year for his impressive volunteer work within the community. He is the treasurer of the Pius X Aboriginal Corporation board and volunteers countless hours to the service for the betterment of Aboriginal health in and around Moree. He is also a full-time student, studying a bachelor of social work while juggling full-time work with BEST Employment, working to support young offenders to reintegrate back into the community. Mr Knox is also the chairperson of the Moree Mission Jets Aboriginal Corporation.
Moree Clontarf Academy director Eric Faulkner was humbled to received the non-Aboriginal male Citizen of the Year award for all he does to help young Aboriginal boys to finish school and gain employment. He also coaches AFL and seeks to be inclusive in his everyday working and personal life.
Janine French was named Aboriginal female Citizen of the Year for her work as Moree Secondary College's senior leader community engagement, which sees her go the extra mile for the benefit of students, staff and the community. She is heavily involved in the SistaSpeak program, faciltated the artwork on the NBN nodes and the Reconciliation Cook-Off.
The non-Aboriginal female Citizen of the Year award went to Kelly James for her tireless dedication to the community as president of the Moree Public School P&C, president of Moree Secondary College P&C, president of Little Athletics and as an official visitor for corrective services.
Moree Discount Drug Store was named Business of the Year for its commitment to employing a mix of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff who embody reconciliation in their everyday work. The store also generously donates to events and causes within the community.
Other award recipients:
- Aboriginal male Employee of the Year - Royce Fernando, gardener at Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
- Non-Aboriginal male Employee of the Year - Inspector Martin Burke, officer-in-charge at Moree Police Station
- Brenda Brennan Memorial Aboriginal female Employee of the Year - Penelope Smith, School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) at Moree East Public School
- Non-Aboriginal female Employee of the Year - Michelle Blore, Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor
- Albert Dennison Caring for Country Award - Clifford Horton
- Community Group/Organisation of the Year (funded) - The Clontarf Academy
- Community Group/Organisation of the Year (non-funded) - Moree Little Athletics
- Senior Sportsperson of the Year (Aboriginal) - TC Priestley and Stanley Swan
- Senior Sportsperson of the Year (non-Aboriginal) - Kyle Butler
- Mental Health Recovery (Aboriginal) - Christopher Forman
- Mental Health Recovery (non-Aboriginal) - David Gallagher
- School-based Trainee of the Year (Aboriginal) - Amealia Turner
- School-based Trainee of the Year (non-Aboriginal) - Claudia Turner
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year (Aboriginal 13-18 years) - Jessica Dahlstrom and Cody Picker
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year (non-Aboriginal 13-18 years) - Jesse James and Alexander Macey
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year (Aboriginal 5-12 years) - Ben Di Donna
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year (non-Aboriginal 5-12 years) - Chaz Noble and Chloe Elbourne
- Youth of the Year (Aboriginal 13-18 years) - Hailey Swan
- Youth of the Year (non-Aboriginal 13-18 years) - Elka Devney
- Youth of the Year (Aboriginal 5-12 years) - Jordan Weatherall
- Youth of the Year (non-Aboriginal 5-12 years) - Milos Stanojevic