Victorian Aboriginal Womens Awards 2000

Women in CULTURE Award

The winner MRS GERALDINE BRIGGS OA
Mrs Briggs OA was the 1st Aboriginal House Parent at the KIRRINARI HOSTELS in New South Wales. The house was for secondary male students.
Mrs Briggs OA was the 1st Delegation to Canberra, they were protesting against Aboriginal Tribal People being kept in chains.
Mrs Briggs OA was president of the Aboriginal & Islander Women’s Co-op, as well as being House Mother at the MOONDANA ABORGINAL HOSTEL in Northcote, in Melbourne, this Hostel was for homeless and teenage girls at risk.
Some of Mrs Briggs OA, other achievements include;
Victorian rep in the National Aboriginal Tribal Council
President and Vice-President of the United Council for Aboriginal & Islander Women
Recipient of the Order of Australia
Life member of WOWRA COLLEGE
Claimant in the YORTA YORTA Land claimWomen in CDEP Award


Community Development Employment Program

The winner KYLIE EDWARDS
Kylie was born in Geelong and is custodian of WATHAURONG and a descendant of GUNDIJMARRA people. Kylie is 26 years old and when completing high school took up an apprenticeship as a florist, which she completed in 1992, over the next two years she managed 2 major florist outlets in Geelong.
Kylie is floor supervisor and is in charge of 7 other employee’s (ALL MALE) and has risen to the challenge. Kylie’s work ethic and commitment is second to none as a female in charge of an all male labor force, varying in ages.

Young Women’s ENCOURAGEMENT Award

The winner RENA ‘MULLIANGAH’ RENNIE
Rena is currently studying fine art at MONASH UNIVERSITY and has successfully completed her first year.
She has already held two very successful exhibitions and her art is fresh and lively. Her realistic images are depicted in a contemporary, pop-art style.(Rena Rennie cont..)
Rena is already proving to be a self motivator and her family and cultural ties are depicted in her art, which is that of images relating to her family and our sacred animals.


WATTLE AWARD (there were two recipients for this award)
A posthumous award for past achievers

The first winner HYLLUS MARIS
Hyllus Maris through traditional birthright had membership of both the YOTA YORTA and WURUNDJERI Tribes of Victoria.
Throughout her life Hyllus Maris worked tirelessly for Aboriginal advancement. As a member of the National Council of Aboriginal & Island Women, she was instrumental in setting up the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, and in 1982 she founded WOWRA COLLEGE, the first Aboriginal school in Victoria Hyllus Maris was awarded the United Nations Media Peace Prize in 1982, and in 1983 Australian Writers Guild and Television Society of Australian Awards, and the Main Drama award at the BANFF international Television Festival.


The second winner MRS ELANOR HARDING
Mrs Harding, well known for her smile and laugh, to all involved in Indigenous Affairs of the last thirty years, are gone, but not forgotten.
Mrs Harding was orphaned at the age of eight and sent to work and live with her grandmother in Bloomfield, Northern Queensland. Mrs Hardings first involvement with the Aboriginal community was in the 1960’s through the Aborigines Advancement League, she campaigned for citizenship during the 1967 referendum, and as the movement increased she became involved in Indigenous Women’s issues.
A proud, dedicated advocate, Mrs Harding spent her lifetime standing up for the rights of Indigenous people.