Nominations are now OPEN for the 2017 Community HART Awards (Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together)!!!
This is the 4th annual HART (Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together) Awards, these Awards recognise local governments and community organisations that are advancing reconciliation in Victoria.
The Community HART Awards are presented in partnership between the Victorian Local Governance Association and Reconciliation Victoria, supported by Bank Australia. Beginning in 2014, these Awards are about recognising local governments and community organisations which are Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together.
The Awards recognise Victorian partnerships and initiatives that contribute to local reconciliation outcomes. Nominations can be for initiatives that demonstrate Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working together, and initiatives that have contributed to relationships, respect and understanding. This year marks the 4th year of the awards, you can read about the 2015 & 2015 finalists and winners below.
2017 Key dates
Nominations open - Wednesday 15 February 9am
Nominations close - Monday 3 April 4pm
Finalists announced - Thursday 13 April
Award ceremony - Friday June 2 during Reconciliation Week from 1pm at the Koorie Heritage Trust.
Key Documents
Nomination Pack: PDF Version
Poster (please put up in your workplace or local community space.
How to nominate
Simply complete the nomination pack then return by email to: events@vlga.org.au
If you would like to return via post or submit hard copies of supporting documents, please address to:
Community HART Awards
c/o VLGA, Suite G06
60 Leicester Street
CARLTON VIC 3053
Nominations can also be delivered in person to the above address.
For any queries on the awards process please contact us.
Reconciliation Victoria: info@reconciliationvic.org.au or 9016 0657
The VLGA: events@vlga.org.au or 9349 7999
Previous Awards
2016 HART Awards
City of Yarra and Reconciliation in the Park (Geelong) were last week announced as winners of the Community HART Awards 2016.
The City of Yarra received the Local Government Award for its Connecting with the Aboriginal History of Yarra: A Teachers’ Resource. The resource is a much needed toolkit for the local community and provides local teachers with a roadmap for teaching local Aboriginal history and engaging with Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri people.
Reconciliation in the Park (Geelong), conducted by Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group & Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, contributes to local relationships between Aboriginal people and the wider community.
Reconciliation Victoria Co-Chair, Belinda Duarte says “in their third year, the Community HART Awards make a significant contribution to our national journey of healing and reconciliation”. Ms Duarte goes on to say that the HART Awards “shine a light on the local initiatives and champions making a real difference in their communities, so that others might take ideas and inspiration forward into their own workplaces and communities”.
The City of Whittlesea and Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation also received special commendation for their initiatives in support of reconciliation in their communities.
Download the 2016 HART Awards Booklet with info on all this year's finalists
Bank Australia’s support of the Community HART awards is part of the bank’s commitment to increase awareness about reconciliation and contribute to improved opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Community HART Awards were presented at an event in Melbourne on Friday 3 June 2016 at the Koorie Heritage Trust, which falls on Mabo Day during Reconciliation Week.
Winners received a one-off piece of original artwork by local Aboriginal artist Emma Bamblett. The community organisation winner was also awarded $1000 to support their reconciliation initiatives.
Media Contact: Damian O'Keefe (Reconciliation Victoria) 0427 030 545, Justin Kann (VLGA), 0419 639 514
Photos: Barbara Oehring
2015 Awards
On Thursday 28 May, at the start of Reconciliation Week, the VLGA and Reconciliation Victoria presented the 2015 Community HART Awards at the Korin Gamadji Institute in Richmond. Featuring a stirring performance by legendary singer songwriter, Kutcha Edwards, this was an afternoon of great celebration, as we recognised the passionate and dedicated individuals who work together to bring about mutual understanding and respect between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Uncle Colin Hunter performing a Welcome to Country.
The Deadly Dancers who were Highly Commended at last year's awards.
2015 Winners
The diversity of entrants this year showed how there is a myriad of ways that communities can work toward reconciliation - and this made the judges' decision extremely difficult!
Each of the 12 finalists showed how true reconciliation can only come from having two-way conversations in order to develop mutual respect and understanding.
Congratulations to the well-deserving winners Shearwater Festival Working Group for the annual Shearwater Festival on Phillip Island (community category, nominated by Bass Coast Shire Council) and Yarra City Council for the Smith Street Dreaming project (local government category)
Highly commended were Geelong’s Deadly Dancers and Corrina O’Toole;Uncle Boydie’s Dream Team, Darebin City Council and the Western Regional Local Government Reconciliation Network – comprised of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham City).
You can read about each of the winners and all of the 2015 finalists in the 2015 Community HART booklet.
Partnership with Bank Australia
2014 Awards
The inaugural Community HART Award winners were held on June 5th at Korin Gamadji Institute in Richmond.
Awards were presented to:
Local Government Category
Winner: Glenelg Shire for the Glenelg Aboriginal Partnership
Highly Commended: Mornington Peninsula Shire for its Aboriginal Support and Development Team.
Community Organisation category
Winner: Northern Indigenous Employment Working Group
Highly Commended: Framlingham Aboriginal Community for its 150th Anniversary Celebration.
