News

MDAS Indigenous Governance Awards finalist

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 09:40:00

Mallee District Aboriginal Services is among nine high-performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and initiatives have been selected as finalists in the 2016 Indigenous Governance Awards.

Each finalist organisation or initiative has been selected for their exceptional Indigenous governance and the positive and long-lasting change they are driving in their community.
“These finalists demonstrate the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and projects around the country”, Professor Mick Dodson, Chair of the Indigenous Governance Awards said.
“They represent the best of what is happening across Australia, and their successes show us that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are empowered to make decisions, substantial and sustainable change for the better is possible.”
Representing diverse sectors, language groups and ways of working, the finalists are:

Category A – Incorporated organisations Category B – Non-incorporated projects
• Kalyuku Ninti - Puntuku Ngurra Limited
• Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS)
• Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre
• Muru Mittigar Limited
• Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation
• Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation (WYDAC)
• Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation • Ara Irititja
• Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly

Professor Dodson said that the success of the finalist organisations and initiatives lies in their ability to draw upon traditional governance models to effectively respond to contemporary challenges.
“These organisations and projects take their corporate governance seriously as they deftly negotiate the requirements of non-Indigenous funders and the needs of their own communities, cultures and laws. By embedding culture at the heart of everything they do, all of the finalists are effectively finding solutions to complex issues that have long confounded governments and mainstream organisations.
“It’s time that mainstream Australia takes notice of these organisations and projects, and adopts a new discourse focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander success.”
In partnership with BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities, the Indigenous Governance Awards have celebrated successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and projects since 2005. The Indigenous Governance Awards 2016 winners will be announced at an event in Sydney on 24 November.