Ms Lorraine St Clair was crowned NAIDOC Person of the Year
Charles Darwin University had many reasons to celebrate national NAIDOC week 2008.
The growing number of Indigenous student enrolments and recognition of outstanding students and lecturers were a cause for celebration across the University.
The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) awards ceremony recognised outstanding achievers and was one of many held throughout Australian cities and towns.
Alice-Springs based Indigenous Liaison Officer Lorraine St Clair took out NAIDOC Person of the Year (Alice Springs) for her ongoing commitment to aspiring Indigenous students across central Australia.
CDU business apprentice Student Shandell Jackson was awarded NAIDOC Youth of the Year and Female Scholar of the Year (Alice Springs) for her combined efforts at Yirara College, where she lives during the school term, and for her work at the university.
Former CDU student Dr Yin Paradies also was crowned National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year for his pioneering study into Indigenous health.
CDU’s Palmerston campus lead by example, winning the ”best exhibitor” award at the city’s Indigenous Career Expo.
Palmerston campus Administrator Aretha Amos said the event showcased CDU’s unified support for Indigenous education and she expressed gratitude for the efforts of customer service officer Helen Whitehouse.
“There was a great sense of team spirit between the Palmerston campus administration, the Indigenous Academic Support Unit, People Management and VET teaching areas who made a great effort to engage the many interested people attending the event,” she said.
CDU Indigenous Academic Support Unit co-ordinator Roz Angeles congratulated all award winners and the university community.
“It is wonderful to see CDU staff winning these prestigious NAIDOC awards and, thanks to the efforts of staff, we have again increased the university’s profile to the Indigenous community,” she said.