The Oorala Aboriginal Centre is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2024 Oorala Awards are now open.
This annual event is dedicated to recognising the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, as well as the vital contributions of University of New England (UNE) staff who work alongside them.
The Oorala Staff and Student Awards encompass a variety of sub-categories, allowing nominees to be recognised for their unique contributions and achievements. While individuals can be nominated for multiple categories, nominees will only be eligible to win one category per award year, ensuring a broad distribution of recognition.
Nominations opened on 1 August and will close on 31 August 2024. Current and former staff, students and Council members as well as community members across the region are eligible to submit nominations.
Being nominated for an Award and winning has held significant meaning for past winners.
“In 2023 I had the privilege to be nominated for the Student Impact to Community award and the Staff Recognition award. I was lucky enough to receive the Student Leadership Award. Being recognised for my achievements and being nominated by people around the University community gave me a sense of accomplishment. It felt great to be able to accept this award as a First Nations student in the hope of motivating other students to strive for recognition of their leadership in all areas of the University,” recipient Courtney Baker said.
Staff Award recipient, Bernadine Cocks, expressed similar sentiments.
“Wow…it’s hard to describe how I felt because I was literally speechless (which is rare for me…lol).”
“If I had to find words, I’d say…incredibly humbled…I was not expecting to be nominated, let alone win an award…I do what I do because, well, it’s just what I do! Although, I really don’t think I do anything special – I’m just me.
“Winning the award will always have a very special place in my heart because I found out afterwards who nominated me and why…it’s perhaps not so much the award that has impacted me; rather, that people who I think are absolutely awesome, amazing people, who themselves were doing amazing things, felt that I was worth nominating…I may not feel worthy of it, but knowing these people did still takes my breath away!
“I would 100% say nominate someone who’s making a difference, even if only small – sometimes, we only progress with baby steps…but put enough baby steps together, and you have a giant leap.”
Detailed information on the sub-categories and nomination process can be found here.
Winners will be announced at the Oorala Awards Dinner in November 2024.
For more information email ooralasupport@une.edu.au.