The transformational contributions of Aboriginal Victorians to building a better future for our state were formally recognised at the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll ceremony last night.
In Melbourne for the annual gala dinner, Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Peter Walsh joined in congratulating the 13 new inductees.
The inductees were honoured for a range of outstanding contributions, including their work to improve the availability of safe, secure housing for Aboriginal Victorians and for advocacy to support better outcomes in education and health care.
Mr Walsh said the inductees had taken a leading role in driving a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across Victoria.
“Each person recognised in this year’s Aboriginal Honour Roll has inspired positive change for future generations,” Mr Walsh said.
“By standing up as a voice of change for their community, they’ve made a difference in the lives of all Victorians.
“But the Honour Roll is just one way we can celebrate and recognise the work Aboriginal Victorians do to transform our state.
“We all have a role to play in building a better future, particularly in making sure we achieve the vision set out in the national Closing the Gap agreement to make lasting change in the lives and livelihoods of all Aboriginal Australians.”
The Honour Roll was established in 2011 under the previous Liberal and Nationals government to publicly recognise the outstanding contributions Aboriginal people make to transform the lives of people in their communities and to building a better, fairer Victoria.
The 13 inductees are:
| Billibellary Shadrach Livingstone James Louisa Pepper-Connolly Marion Pearce Larry Kanoa Sylvia (Fay) Stewart Muir Grant Hansen | Desmond Smith David Anderson Elsie Coates Karen Bryant Eric ‘Joe’ McGuinness Frances Bond |
Read the stories of this year’s inductees, and all others since 2011, here: https://www.aboriginalvictoria.vic.gov.au/aboriginal-honour-roll
