Boandik leaders awarded

DEDICATED members of the Aboriginal community in the Boandik region were recognised with awards presented at the NAIDOC Week launch yesterday morning.A large crowd gathered in the gymnasium at Pangula Mannamurna for the announcement of the awards following votes by members of the community.

Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr was voted female elder of the year by her peers.

Aunty Michelle works as a cultural adviser for Pangula Mannamurna two days per week and expressed her excitement at being recognised for her work.

“It’s very exciting because I am involved with schools, I work within the community teaching language, so it is just wonderful to be recognised,” Aunty Michelle said.

“It is a real privilege to accept this award and it is just really nice to think other people are recognising the work I do in the community.”

The lifetime achievement award also went to a worthy recipient with well-known elder Aunty Penny Bonney receiving the accolade.

Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer David Copley presented the award highlighting Aunty Penny’s many years of contribution to the community.

Aunty Penny said she was “very proud” to receive the award.

“I have worked in the community for more than 30 years with a number of different people and organisations, so this is just such an honour,” Aunty Penny said.

“They have obviously thought about all the things that I have done, so I hold this award in quite high regard.”

Despite receiving the award for her lifetime contributions, Aunty Penny said her work throughout the community will continue.

“I will continue to be involved with Pangula Mannamurna and different things within the community because I really do care for my people,” she said.

Aunty Penny said receiving the award was just the start of what she hoped would be a special week of celebration.

“NAIDOC is an important week to celebrate our culture and I am very proud to be involved,” she said.