Organisations honoured at Indigenous Governance Awards

A leading Central Australian women’s group and an up-and-coming theatre troupe from country Victoria have received top honours at the 2014 Indigenous Governance Awards.

Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation from Alice Springs and Swan Hill’s The Marruk Project were awarded the best run Aboriginal organisation and project in the country.

Indigenous Governance Awards Chair Professor Mick Dodson said this year’s finalists not only represent the best of what is happening within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities but across Australia as a whole.

Reconciliation Australia, in partnership with BHP Billiton, holds the Indigenous Governance Awards biennially to identify, celebrate and promote strong Indigenous governance.

In 2014, a record 113 high-quality applications were received from a diverse range of organisations, hailing from some of Australia’s remotest communities and busiest cities.

Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation was awarded Category A winner for ‘incorporated organisations’, while Girringun Aboriginal Corporation in North Queensland was highly commended.

Professor Dodson described Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation as “a very well-run organisation concentrating on delivering services to families and communities”.

“Waltja is difficult to fault in its governance, it’s one of the best organisations I have encountered, the best in Australia,” Professor Dodson said.

The Marruk Project in Swan Hill, Victoria, won Category B for ‘non-incorporated projects’, with the Muntjiltjarra Wurrgumu Group from Wiluna in Western Australia a close second.

Professor Dodson said one of the unique things about Marruk is its ability to bring the whole town together.

“It’s what we should be seeing across the world. We need things like this to co-exist, to build understanding. To actually witness it bringing the town together is something that’s almost beyond belief.”