Celebrating Community Contributions: Mayor's Reconciliation Recognition Awards

In acknowledgment of leadership and community-building efforts towards reconciliation, the Mayor's Reconciliation Recognition Awards serve as a beacon illuminating the often unseen yet invaluable contributions of individuals and organizations. These awards shine a light on remarkable endeavors that foster unity and understanding among diverse communities. Let's delve into the inspiring stories of the recipients of these prestigious awards:

Shialee Brodie — Cultivating Cultural Pride Through Art: Shialee, an artist, collaborated with the Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Inc. Board of Management and the Neporendi Community Centre to craft a captivating mural symbolizing the rich heritage of Aboriginal people in the Southern Community. Her artwork, adorning the Neporendi Aboriginal Community Centre, serves as a powerful representation of cultural identity. Moreover, she engages with primary school students, imparting knowledge about Aboriginal culture through the medium of art, thus nurturing a sense of cultural pride and appreciation from a young age.

Gavin Malone and Karl Winda Telfer Burka — Preserving Bi-Cultural Heritage: Gavin and Karl have dedicated themselves to the restoration and preservation of the L50K project, a bi-cultural endeavor situated near McLaren Vale, South Australia. This initiative aims to regenerate the Maslin Creek reed swamp and establish a grassy woodland, reclaiming a significant ancient Kaurna campground known as Kanyanyapilla. Their efforts not only rejuvenate the natural environment but also serve as a platform for bi-cultural learning and community engagement.

Tamia Blackwell — Educating Through Truth and Understanding: Tamia's exemplary work as a history and Aboriginal studies teacher at Aldinga Payinthi College underscores her commitment to reconciliation through education. Over the past seven years, she has played a pivotal role in fostering understanding and truth-telling among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff, and communities. Her dedication to exploring truth through teaching serves as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and reconciliation.

Port Noarlunga Primary School — Creating a Culturally Safe Environment: Anji Solomann's leadership in developing Port Noarlunga Primary School's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) exemplifies the school's commitment to creating a culturally safe and inspiring learning environment. Through collective effort, the school community has worked tirelessly to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity, ensuring that every student feels valued and respected.

Micky Barlow — Preserving Tradition Through Art and Craft: As a Kokatha woman and accomplished artist and basket weaver, Micky Barlow actively preserves and promotes Aboriginal culture through her workshops and community engagement initiatives in McLaren Vale. By sharing her artistic talents and cultural knowledge, Micky enriches the lives of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals, fostering a deeper appreciation for traditional practices.

Loren Kate and Nancy Bates — Amplifying Indigenous Voices Through Music: Loren Kate and Nancy Bates, both esteemed songwriters with a strong connection to First Nations people, utilize their musical talents to amplify Indigenous voices and narratives. Through their performances, they celebrate Indigenous heritage and promote cultural understanding, bridging communities and fostering unity.

Thalassa Park Trust — Promoting Indigenous Art and Literature: Des Fowles, representing the Thalassa Park Trust, receives recognition for their support in bringing Indigenous artwork to Aberfoyle Park's Storybook Walk. Inspired by the storybook 'Frog Finds a Place,' this initiative not only showcases Indigenous art but also celebrates Indigenous storytelling, enriching the community's cultural landscape.

Glenys Haren — Championing Truth and Reconciliation: Glenys's commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation is evident through her activism and community engagement efforts, notably through the formation of a Truth Telling Stories Book Club. By delving into narratives surrounding colonization and First contact, Glenys facilitates meaningful discussions that promote healing and understanding.

Amey Lekkas — Promoting Indigenous Education at Cardijn College: As the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander coordinator at Cardijn College, Amey spearheads initiatives aimed at promoting Indigenous education and fostering cultural awareness among students. By introducing male and female First Nations role models, Cardijn College aims to inspire students and cultivate a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives.

These recipients of the Mayor's Reconciliation Recognition Awards exemplify the transformative power of collective action in advancing reconciliation and fostering inclusive communities. Their dedication, creativity, and resilience serve as beacons of hope, illuminating pathways towards a more harmonious and understanding society.

Original article:

MAYOR'S RECONCILIATION RECOGNITION AWARDS

In recognition of leadership and building community around reconciliation, and as a way of making visible the contributions of those who perhaps are sometimes invisible, the Mayor's Reconciliation Recognition Awards shine a light on fabulous contributions.

Shialee (shy-lee) Brodie. Shialee is an artist that has worked with the Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Inc. Board of Management and the Neporendi Community Centre to paint a Mural to represent all Aboriginal people in the Southern Community. Her beautiful Mural can be seen at Neporendi Aboriginal Community Centre. Her work also includes working with Primary School Students and teaching them about culture through Art.

Gavin Malone Cultural Geographer and Land Steward, and Karl Winda Telfer Burka (Senior Man), MULLAWIRRA MEYUNNA (Dry Forest People). L50K is a private, bi-cultural, ecological, and cultural regeneration project near McLaren Vale, South Australia where a section of the Maslin Creek reed swamp is being regenerated, and a grassy woodland re-established at a place that is an ancient Kaurna campground known as Kanyanyapilla. I would like to recognise Gavin and Karl who have worked hard to create L50K as a place of bi-cultural significance and learning for the community.

Tamia Blackwell – Working as a teacher at the Aldinga Payinthi College as a Year 7 History teacher, also working with the Year 12s as an Aboriginal Studies Teacher over the past seven years has contributed amazingly to ‘Reconciliation in the South’ and is now exploring truth telling through teaching and learning, with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff, and communities.

Port Noarlunga Primary School. Anji Solomann was nominated by her principal at Port Noarlunga Primary School for her leadership in developing their RAP, although has requested the school receive the award acknowledging all the hard work that everyone in the school has done in making the school culturally safe and an inspiring environment to teach and learn.

Micky Barlow (Aboriginal Artist & Basket Weaver) – Micky is a Kokatha woman, Aboriginal contemporary artist and basket weaver. Micky hosts painting, weaving and jewellery workshops in McLaren Vale. Micky also takes her workshops to schools for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children for Cultural Classes.

Loren Kate and Nancy Bates –Nancy Bates is a Barkindji Song Woman, originating from Far Western NSW, and now residing on Kaurna Country in Adelaide. Both are song writers, with their connection around First Nations People. Both women are local to the Southern Region and have performed in many concerts over the years. Their latest collaboration has been with the Cooee Concert.

Thalassa Park Trust - Des Fowles, one of the trustees to accept the Award For funding and supporting staff from our Libraries and the Arts Team to deliver our first Aboriginal artwork at Storybook Walk in Aberfoyle Park, inspired by the story book ‘Frog Finds a Place’ by Sally Morgan, Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Dub Leffler.

Glenys Haren – Glenys was active in the Yes Campaign and keeping the connections through the Uluru Statement. Glenys formed a Book Club, where Truth Telling Stories are held. The Books chosen are about Truth Telling on Colonisation and First contact with Aboriginals and Settlers on Kangaroo Island and the Southern Fleurieu.

Amey Lekkas is the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander co-ordinator at Cardijn College, where they have introduced male and female First Nations School Captains, this first started in 2023. This brings pride and commitment to the students.

Trevor O'Brien – Trevor is a Kaurna Elder who has worked towards reconciliation through regular ‘Welcome to Country’ introductions, learning and teaching the Kaurna language, sharing traditional stories and understandings through listening to others experiences, understandings and feelings throughout our City.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association (South Chapter) – Rakhshanda Kokab, President of the Women’s Auxiliary to accept the Award The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's South Chapter works alongside Neporendi Aboriginal Community Centre for cross-cultural connection and friendship. The Association invite the Neporendi community to their events and support Neporendi in their activities through provision of activities like henna and calligraphy, cooking events, and pamper days.

Spirit of Unity, Maureen and Naomi – Spirit of Unity have been Providing a truly heartfelt Welcome to Country, Little Mother Earth Playgroup and cultural support for a variety of programs at the Hackham Community Centre. Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Louise Shepherd, Joining Hands and Minds Network Co-Chair. Louise has been the co-chair for over 2 years and a member for over 8 years. Louise is passionate about reconciliation and a leader in the Network and has been a valued member of the Reconciliation Week Working Group in the planning and delivery of our Reconciliation Week Events.

THANK YOU for your #leadership.

Now more than ever

#ReconciliationWeek

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