Ms Lorraine St Clair was crowned NAIDOC Person of the Year
It’s a long way from her community of Robinson River near the Queensland border, but Shandell Dick’s efforts were recognised at a gala dinner in Alice Springs last week.
The Charles Darwin University apprentice joined Indigenous Academic Liaison Lecturer Ms Lorraine St Clair winning recognition at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) awards recognised outstanding achievers and was one of many held throughout Australian cities and towns.
Shandell was awarded NAIDOC Youth of the Year and Female Scholar of the Year for her combined efforts at Yirara College where she lives during the school term and CDU’s Alice Springs campus where she is also completing a business apprenticeship.
She followed in the footsteps of her brother Farron, awarded the Mr NAIDOC title in 2006 for his academic and community achievements.
Ms St Clair was crowned NAIDOC Person of the Year for her ongoing commitment to aspiring Indigenous students across central Australia.
She started working at the Centralian Senior Secondary College (CSSC) in 1991 and moved next door to CDU in 2005 in various roles assisting Indigenous people in their study aspirations.
Alice Springs campus administrator Dianne Underwood said she was thrilled to hear of the awards.
“Lorraine is a very well known figure in the local community and I personally know of many people whose study experiences have been largely shaped by her involvement,” she said.
“Shandell came to us as a quiet business apprentice in the administration unit and has proven herself to be a reliable and integral member of the team.”
CDU Indigenous Academic Support Unit (IASU) co-ordinator Roz Angeles congratulated both award winners.
“It is wonderful to see CDU staff winning these prestigious NAIDOC awards and both Lorraine and Shandell are deserving recipients who have significantly increased the Indigenous profile of our University,” she said.