2017

AWARDS GUIDE

WELCOME TO THE
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS
As Convenor of National Indigenous Human Rights Awards (NIHRA), I am
delighted to announce that our 2017 event is planned to coincide with the 25th
anniversary of the landmark High Court decision Mabo v Queensland (No 2).
Arrangements have been made to hold this event at the Mural Hall in Parliament
House, Canberra to reflect the national significance of Mabo.
NIHRA has grown from strength to strength since it began in 2014, and is now a
premiere event attracting Federal and State interest in our Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities, and the significant work still needed to improve their
livelihood.
Our keynote speaker for 2017 will be Senator Pat Dodson, the father of
reconciliation, who will reflect on the impact and legacy of Eddie Mabo and the
Mabo judgment, while a number of other distinguished guests including the Mabo
Family Members, political leaders, indigenous elders and other human rights
luminaries will also attend.
NIHRA remains the primary platform in celebrating the work of individuals
working towards a harmonious, equitable and fair Australia and who take steps to
remedy inequity. It is through NIHRA that we can honour and recognise their hard
work. I encourage all members of the community to join in this event to further the
cause of Human Rights & Social Justice in our Indigenous communities and to
recognise the outstanding contribution of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander award
recipients.
This guide outlines the award categories as well as key dates for nominations..
If you require any further information, please contact my office on (02) 9230 2526 or
email Louay.Moustapha@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Yours sincerely,

The Hon Shaoquett Moselmane MLC

Convenor National Indigenous Human Rights Award

AWARD CATEGORIES
DR YUNUPINGU AWARD - FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
To an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who has made a
significant contribution to the advancement of Human Rights for Aboriginal
and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dr Yunupingu is the first Aboriginal from Arnhem Land to achieve a
university degree. In 1986 Dr Yunupingu formed Yothu Yindi in 1986,
combining Aboriginal (Yolngu) and non-Aboriginal (balanda) musicians and
instrumentation.
In 1990 was appointed as Principal of Yirrkala Community School, Australias
first Aborogianl Principal. Also in that year he established the Yothu Yindi
Foundation to promote Yolngu cultural development, including Garma
Festival of Traditional Cultures
Dr Yumupingu was named 1992 Australian of the Year for his work in
building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities
across Australia.

THE EDDIE MABO AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE

In memory of Eddie Koiki Mabo (1936-1992), this award recognises an
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who has made a significant
contribution to the advancement of Social Justice for Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Eddie Koiki Mabo was a Torres Straits Islander, most notable in Australian
history for his role in campaigning for indigenous land rights.
From 1982 to 1991 Eddie campaigned for the rights of the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islanders to have their land rights recognised. Sadly, he died of
cancer at the age of 56, five months before the High Court handed down its

landmark land rights decision overturning Terra Nullius. He was 56 when he

passed away.
THE ANTHONY MUNDINE AWARD FOR COURAGE
To an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who has made a
significant contribution to the advancement of sports among Aboriginal
and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Anthony Mundine is an Australian professional boxer and former rugby
league player. He is a former, two-time WBA Super Middleweight Champion,
a IBO Middleweight Champion, and an interim WBA Light Middleweight
Champion boxer and a New South Wales State of Origin representative
footballer. Before his move to boxing he was the highest paid player in the
NRL.
In 2000 Anthony was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person
of the Year in 2000. He has also won the Deadly Award as Male Sportsperson
of the Year in 2003, 2006 and 2007 amongst others.
He has a proud history of standing up for Indigenous peoples, telling a
journalist from the Canberra Times: I'm an Aboriginal man that speaks out
and if I see something, I speak the truth."

2017 NOMINATIONS AND

KEY DATES
Nominations
Please forward nominations online to:

https://shaoquett.wufoo.com/forms/z4qw7zc1i3yvw6/
If you require a printed form, please contact Shaoquett Moselmane's office
on (02) 9230 2526 or via email Louay.Moustapha@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Nominations can also be mailed to:
The National Indigenous Human Rights Awards
Office of Shaoquett Moselmane MLC
NSW Parliament House
Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
All applications sent by mail must be received by of Friday the 3rd of
March 2017.
Key Dates
Nominations open Monday 15th of January 2017, and close on Friday the 3rd
of March 2017
Judging of entries will take place from 13th MARCH 2017
Presentation and Celebration Dinner at the Mural Hall in Parliament House,
Canberra on the 10th of May 2017.

For further information:

Phone: (02) 9230 2526
Email: Louay.Moustapha@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Authorised by Shaoquett Moselmane MLC
NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Produced using Parliamentary entitlements.