INAUGURAL VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS WOMENS AWARDS 1997

EDUCATION CATEGORY - MAY PASCOE-BRIGGS
May Pascoe-Briggs is in her early 70’s and returned to learning at the beginning of 1997 at Shepparton TAFE, where she is doing a certificate in Aboriginal Arts. Although this is a four year course she was prepared to graduate in her 80’s. She has been an inspiration to her fellow students. Unfortunately she recently became very ill and is still re-couperating.
May Pascoe- Briggs moved from Cummeragunga to Nathalia in 1962 to the first Aborigines Advancement League established hostel for Aboriginal Secondary students school children with her husband. The couple received no salary for their work. When her husband died in 1969, May continued on and ensured that many more children would go no to secondary school and university.

BUSINESS AWARD - LEANNE MILLER
Leanne Miller has had an active involvement in assisting women, individuals, and communities to develop their businesses. She maintains a close contact with them and continues to direct information into their areas.
Leanne has initiated relationships in business between indigenous and on-indigenous people. She ahs developed groundwork for women in business and potential tourism business involving both Indigenous and communities.
Leanne is National Project Manager of Aboriginal Tourism Australia, promoting all aspects of Aboriginal Tourism, as former project co-ordinator of Koorie Women Mean Business; she developed the Target Innovations Project, which included a motivational business training package for Koorie Women.
Leanne is a member of the Arts Industry Tourism Council and the reference group for the National Tour Guiding Competency Standards. She has also served as Chairperson of the Equal Opportunity Commission’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Advisory Committee and the Indigenous Women’s Legal Resources Steering Committee.

SPORTS CATEGORY - PAM PEDDERSON
Pam Pedersen is 54 years old and has sporting achievements in sailing, swimming and running.
Pam was the first Aboriginal woman to take part in the Melbourne to Devonport Yacht race and a member of the winning crew (1997).
She swims with the Doncaster Dolphins Masters Club, and was named in the top ten in Victoria in her division for the 50m,100m, and 200m, breaststroke events She ahs also represented Victoria at the Australian and World Masters Games. In running Pederson has represented Victoria and
Australia in Veteran Athletics competing in the 100m sprints. She sees herself as a role model for women no matter what their race or age. Pam actively encourages all women to join in sports.

HEALTH CATEGORY - ALICE CLARKE
Aunty Alice Clarke’s commitment to Aboriginal child care and welfare was highlighted by her tireless work to have a family group home, a play group and foster care program established in Mildura in the far north of the state. Her efforts have led to the establishment of a committee to see projects become realities.
Aunty Alice 60, has fostered more them 220 children and has won respect for the Indigenous and non-indigenous community.