Inaugural Mudgin-Gal Recognition of Aboriginal Women Awards Ceremony

The event aims to recognise the extensive work being done by Aboriginal women to strengthen our communities.

In light of last years media tendency to highlight the victimised and oppressed status of Aboriginal women, the opportunity for community women to gather in recognition and celebration of our internal community achievements is especially relevant.

Indigenous women continue to carry out community development work vital to the safety and welll being of the communities in which they live. In doing so they are under-resourced and over-worked, The award ceremony creates the space where Aboriginal women receive recognition in terms of their achievements and the work they carry out is valued by their peers, reigniting internal community pathways to healing. By striving to continue traditional practices and customs of wellbeing our status within our communities is re-empowered.

Nomination categories include: health, education/achievement, support worker in the field of family violence, community worker and a youth award open to young women 25 years or younger. Nominations closed on the 27th of February.

The awards ceremony will also function as a fundraiser that will allow Mudgin-Gal to allocate funds to the managment and maintenance of the organisation's two crisis accomodation facilities.

Mugdin-Gal is an under-resourced community based organisation, providing a support, referral and advocacy service to Aboriginal women. Issues being experienced by clients accessing teh service include those around domestic violence, homelesness, family conflict and other life-based issues. As well as maanging two temporary shared crisis houses, we are also able to offer clients need based programs on issues such as drug and alcohol, health and sexuality.

Other organisations involved include the NSW Department for OWmen and the Sydney regional Council of ATSIC.

Planned performances include Leah Purcell, Emma Donovan and Justine Saunders. The evening will be MC's by Lillian Crombie.

For further information