Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative & Geelong One Fire are proud winners of the State Community HART Awards (community organisations) for the annual Reconciliation in the Park event.

Seven members of both organisations were at the award ceremony on 3rd June. As Mel King: Rec in Park Co-ordinator stated: "I was honoured to receive this award, Uncle Dave from Wathaurong and Ron Milligan from One Fire started the annual event and it continues to grow and build stronger relationships each year.... From big things little things grow. Let's continue to walk together".

HART stands for 'helping to achieve reconciliation together'.
The awards recognise councils and community organisations that are Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together – that is, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working together and contributing to building relationships, respect and understanding between each other.

“The HART Awards are a great example of how, together, we can recognise and celebrate the work of people who are creating a society we can all take part in, proudly and equally" said Cr Sebastian Klein: Victorian Local Governance Association President.

Reconciliation in the Park (Geelong), conducted by Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group & Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, contributes to local relationships between Aboriginal people and the wider community. In winning the award, we acknowledge many local funders, sponsors and contributors.

Back row: Ron Milligan, Stacey Mercer, Mick Ryan, Edwina McHenry; Front row: Mel King, Uncle David, Vicky Grosser

Reconciliation Victoria, Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) and Bank Australia announced the winners of the 2016 Community HART Awards at a presenation ceremony attended by Aunty Joy Murphy and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Natalie Hutchins.

Read more at: http://www.reconciliationvic.org.au/news/community-hart-awards-2016-winners-announced-today.php