Dual winners for Sealin Garlett Award

The City of Fremantle has announced dual winners for the 2022 Sealin Garlett Community Leadership Award.

The award honours the late Reverend Sealin Garlett, who was an outstanding contributor towards reconciliation both to the Nyoongar community and non-Aboriginal community of Perth.

In a break from tradition, the 2022 award was today presented to dual winners – artist Sharon Calgaret and academic Dr Gerrard Shaw.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said, as survivors of the Stolen Generations, both Ms Calgaret and Dr Shaw shared heart-breaking but inspiring stories.

“Sharon takes every opportunity to educate people about the true history of Australia through her art classes and by sharing her story,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“Working with the Fremantle PCYC, Sharon has helped to build bridges between young people and the local police by hosting discussions and yarning circles.

“It should never be underestimated how significant and powerful it is to include younger First Nations people in conversations about reconciliation.

“Early in Gerrard’s life he was taught Aboriginal people should be avoided. It was only later that he discovered the Aboriginal people coming to visit him, and being turned away, were his family.

“After deciding to re-establish contact with his Aboriginal family and culture, Gerrard went on to obtain his Masters and PhD at Murdoch University, writing about the reclamation of his Aboriginality and events in the lives of his ancestors.

“Today Gerrard stands as a proud Whadjuk and Yued Elder who, through the telling of his story, reminds us all of the strength and resilience of Aboriginal Australia.”

The City of Fremantle created the Sealin Garlett Award in collaboration with the Walyalup Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group to celebrate the achievements of a community member who has demonstrated outstanding contributions in reconciliation and community leadership.

To be eligible the person nominated must be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent; connected to the City of Fremantle by volunteering, residing, working or studying within the City; and have demonstrated achievements in community leadership and reconciliation.

Last year the award was presented to Roni Forrest for her contribution to Aboriginal education as the coordinator of the Future Footprints Program at the Association of Independent Schools WA, while the inaugural winner was Fremantle Indigenous Action Group leader the late Marie Thorne.