Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Robin Banks, joined with a big crowd at today's launch of Human Rights Week Tasmania to congratulate all of this year's Tasmanian Human Rights Awards recipients.
'Each of the recipients has done their bit to make Tasmania a better place for all. They have worked to improve the recognition and respect for human rights in our Tasmanian community and often beyond. It is inspiring to hear the stories of each of the recipients and be reminded that every day, every where, we can all do our bit for human rights and inclusive and respectful communities', Ms Banks said.
Award recipients
School Human Rights Award 2012
Sponsored by the Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning with a donation from Anne & Tony Peacock, this award acknowledges work in Tasmania by schools or school-based groups that have promoted human rights in schools and/or the wider community
Riverside Primary School was the winner of this year's School award. The School was recognised for the students' and teachers' continuing passion in raising awareness about, and taking action on, human rights issues and in particular their work on encouraging the adoption of fair trade, access to education for girls and addressing poverty.
A certificate of High commendation is awarded to Geilston Bay High School for pursuing their vision that all children should have access to education and be safe and healthy through local fundraising and awareness raising and through their work to bring clean water to children in Vanuatu.
Angus Downie Award for Print Journalism
The Angus Downie print journalism award is presented to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the understanding, promotion or protection of human rights in Tasmania. This award is sponsored by Robin Banks and Michael Small.
Nominations for this award included Carla Johnson, Rebecca Fitzgibbon, Sallyann Geale and Janine Davis, Anglicare’s Social Action Research Centre and Hannah Martin.
For her consistent reporting on a broad range of human rights issues and for her thoughtful articles that have promoted informed debate about equality and freedom from discrimination - this year's award was presented to Rebecca Fitzgibbon.
CALD Human Rights Award 2012
This award is for a person or organisation that has undertaken activities to ensure the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Tasmania. This award is sponsored by the Migrant Resource Centre.
Nomination for the award were Hobart Students Against Racism, Crispen Marunda, Yabbo Thompson, Stephen Estcourt and Martin Blackwell of World Party Tasmania and the Launceston City Council Human Library.
For her many years of commitment to the rights of people no matter what their backgrounds and in particular for her work in empowering and supporting individuals and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by assisting them to find employment, housing and resolve issues that arise in their lives, the CALD award was presented to Yabbo Thompson.
A certificate of High commendation was awarded to Crispen Marunda for his work with the African-Australian community in Tasmania and in particular for his role as Chairperson of the African Communities Council of Tasmania where he has shown leadership in promoting positive images and improving access to essential services in the areas of health, employment and education.
Community Organisation Human Rights Award 2012
This award is presented each year to a community organisation based in Tasmania that has acted to ensure the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights.
This award is sponsored by Hobart City Council.
Nominations for the award included Hobart Students Against Racism, Oaktree Foundation, World Party Tasmania and Launceston City Council Human Library.
For their continuing commitment to a creative approach to working with communities on issues of human rights, culture, diversity, racism and intolerance and in particular their workshops on diversity with school-children this year's Community organisation Award was presented to Hobart Students Against Racism.
LGBTI Human Rights Award 2012
This is one of two new award categories this year and is presented to a person or organisation that has undertaken activities to ensure the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights with a focus on promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex cultural awareness in Tasmania.
The award is sponsored by Rainbow Communities Tasmania.
Nominees in this category included Andrew Shaw, Launceston City Council Human Library and Sandy Verrier.
For her long-term commitment to supporting LGBTI students at Rosny College and in particular her work in empowering students of diverse sexuality to understand their rights, access services and supports and make decisions about their lives, the inaugural LGBTI Award was presented to Sandy Verrier.
A Certificate of High Commendation was awarded to Andrew Shaw for his commitment to advocating for and working with people of diverse sex and gender and in particular for raising community awareness of transgender and intersex individuals through his own personal story.
Youth Human Rights Award 2012
This award is sponsored by Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.
Nominees included Robert Hortle, Laura Kay, Laura Sykes, Nathan Gelston and Hobart Students against Racism.
This year there were joint winners in the youth category.
For her dedication to social justice and human rights issues and in particular her work to alleviate poverty through her involvement with World Vision’s VGen youth movement, Fair Trade and Carpets for Communities the first of the joint winners was Laura Sykes.
For his dedication to social justice and human rights issues, and in particular his work to address poverty through his contribution as Director of Oaktree Foundation Tasmania, and his work on social inclusion through the Community Street Soccer Program the second joint winner was Robert Hortle.
A Certificate of High Commendation was awarded to Nathan Gelston for his community advocacy work to raise public awareness of human rights issues, and in particular, his work relating to young people, mental health and sexual diversity.
Sport Human Rights Award 2012
The second new category this year is for a sporting organisation based in Tasmania that has acted to ensure the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights.
This award is sponsored by Sport and Recreation Tasmania.
Nominations included Orienteering Tasmania, Southern Tasmanian Badminton Association, Tasmanian Basketball Association, Hobart United Football Club, Royal Life Saving Society Tasmania and the Football Federation of Tasmania.
For its water safety program that provides opportunities for young people from CALD backgrounds to gain confidence and participate in aquatic environments and that educates teachers, pool operators and life-guards on the cultural and religious matters that impact on participation the award was presented to the Royal Life Saving Society Tasmania.
Individual Human Rights Award 2012
The Individual award is presented each year to a person living in Tasmania who has taken action to ensure the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights.
This award is sponsored by Michael Kirby Chambers.
Nominations included Dewayne Everettsmith, Stephen Estcourt, Judy Huett and Tyler Fenton.
For her long-standing commitment to promoting the human rights of people with intellectual disability and her contribution at a local, national and international level to developing self advocacy this years individual award was presented to Judy Huett.
A Certificate of High Commendation was awarded to Dewayne Everettsmith for his contribution to promoting Aboriginal culture and language in the wider community, his involvement in educating children and his work in protecting and promoting Aboriginal heritage.
Reminder of Human Rights Week events
Don't forget, there are many varied and interesting events taking place this week. A calendar of events is available at:
http://www.afairerworld.org/_Coming_events/index.html
The Human Right Week Rally and March is on Saturday 8 December, starting at 10:45 am at the Playhouse Theatre winding its way to Parliament lawns where there will be speakers, music, stalls and activities running through to 1 pm.