June 20, 2018
Reconciliation Australia has extended the application period for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations to apply for the 2018 Indigenous Governance Awards.
Entries will now close on July 20.
The awards publicly recognise and celebrate outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations, projects and initiatives that make extraordinary contributions to communities and the nation.
Reconciliation Australia and the BHP Billiton Foundation are running the 2018 awards in partnership with the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute.
Entrants have the chance to share in $60,000 prize money as well as corporate mentoring, feedback from a judging panel, and media and networking opportunities.
Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine encouraged organisations and groups of all shapes and sizes to consider applying for an award.
“We know there are organisations, initiatives and projects around the country that are making important contributions to their communities, and the nation, by putting culture at the heart of their governance,” she said.
Ms Mundine said effective Indigenous governance melded traditional governance and responsibilities, based on culture and kinship, with the requirements of mainstream organisations, including financial and legal accountability.
“By creating governance models that are effective and legitimate in two worlds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations are examples of successful self-determination and two-way governance in action,” she said.
The two award categories are:
- Category A: Indigenous-led incorporated organisations, and
- Category B: Indigenous-led non-incorporated initiatives or projects
Winners in each of the two categories will receive $20,000, and highly commended organisations in each category will each be awarded $10,000.
Applications or recommendations can be made online or by calling (02) 6273-9200.
