Inaugural Proud Spirit Award winners announced
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia (Gayaa Dhuwi) congratulates the winners of the inaugural Proud Spirit Awards, announced at our Conference Gala Dinner last week in Garramilla (Darwin), on the lands of the Larrakia people.
These awards highlight outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for their work in the social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention space.
Award recipients were:
Leadership in Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention: Associate Professor Graham Gee
Cultural Practice: Rebecca Masterton
Lived Experience Champion: Aunty Vicki McKenna
Community Impact: Michelle Gissara
Youth Inspiration Award: Jasmine Pilling
Accepting his award, Associate Professor Graham Gee said, “I look around tonight and see so many people I deeply admire. To be recognised by your Blak brothers and sisters is completely different to other awards – it means so much more.”
Accepting her award in absentia, Rebecca Masterton said, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the Cultural Practice Award. I accept this award in recognition not only of my own work, but of the communities, families, and colleagues who continue to inspire me every day”.
Receiving her award, Aunty Vicki McKenna commented, “I first want to acknowledge my family – who I draw strength from. There are people in my past, those who I’ve worked with from time to time, who have all guided me and helped me along the way – I’m receiving this on behalf of them. This award goes to the people that I serve – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples”.
As she accepted her award, Michelle Gissara remarked, “I’m so proud that what I can do is for community – to use my lived experience of mental health and suicide to help others”.
Jasmine Pilling accepted the final award of the night and reflected, “Receiving this award is an incredible honour. This award is about culture and the shared strength we all carry. I stand here as proof that even in the darkest times, there is light ahead.”
Chair of the Gayaa Dhuwi Board and judging panel, Professor Helen Milroy AM, congratulated the worthy recipients. “The recipients embody the principles of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration, demonstrating the importance of cultural leadership, self-determination, and the integration of culture across all aspects of mental health and wellbeing.
“We had a high calibre of nominations from across Australia, making our job on the judging panel a difficult one.”
Gayaa Dhuwi commends the inaugural Proud Spirit Award winners for their significant contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.
ENDS
Gayaa Dhuwi reminds the public and media outlets of the importance of responsible and culturally respectful reporting when it comes to issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes adhering to the Good Yarn Guidelines and ensuring that crisis support services are promoted effectively.
24/7 crisis helpline services available to the community include:
13 YARN (139276) – a dedicated support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799) – providing support for men
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – for young people in need of support
For further information, and resources, or to access support services, please visit www.gayaadhuwi.org.au.
About Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. As a community-controlled organisation, it is governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working to promote collective excellence in mental healthcare.
Media contact: Pamela Hutchinson, Senior Communications Officer, pamela.hutchinson@gayaadhuwi.org.au or 0418 460 642.