Sealin Garlett nominations still open

The nomination period for the City of Fremantle’s Sealin Garlett Community Leadership Awards has been extended until 31 October.

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.

The City of Fremantle created the 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 for the Sealin Garlett Award, 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.

Click here to download the nomination form.

Respected Nyoongar Elder, the late Marie Thorne, was a resident of Hilton for around 30 years, raising seven children of her own and fostering 12 others.

She was a leader of the Fremantle Indigenous Action Group, spreading her knowledge of Aboriginal sites and issues to non-indigenous people since 1998, and was also successful in her campaign to rename Booyeembara Park with its Nyoongar name.

She was a published writer, creating poetry that showed her ties to her Nyoongar roots and won the Fremantle Heritage Award for an individual after working tirelessly within her community, securing emergency accommodation and safe shelter for the homeless, and for other vulnerable people.

A Goreng Nyoongar woman who has dedicated her life to the education of Aboriginal children.

For decades, Roni Forrest has worked tirelessly with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their schools and communities to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed in education.

In her role at the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia, Roni participated in the daily in the life of schools in Fremantle and across the state by making herself available to assist with students and staff.

Roni’s work to recognise massacre sites on her home country is also a massive achievement, particularly the leadership she has provided in establishing the Kukenarup memorial.

Artist Sharon Calgaret and academic Dr Gerrard Shaw are survivors of the Stolen Generation and have made a difference to the lives of many people with their 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.

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

After Dr Gerrard Shaw obtained his Masters and PhD at Murdoch University, writing about the reclamation of his Aboriginality and events in the lives of his ancestors.

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