2024 Chief Commissioner’s NAIDOC Awards

At this year’s event, we celebrated individuals who have gone above and beyond to enhance the relationship between Victoria Police and the Aboriginal community.?

Regan Shaw – Youth Award?

Regan started volunteering at the Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative almost two years ago. During this time, he’s shown a commitment to his work and willingness to learn and be involved in activities at the co-operative.??

Regan is currently completing year 12 but hopes to continue working at Goolum after he graduates.??

Auntie Pam Branson – Elder Award?

Auntie Pam is a local elder who is strongly involved in the justice system and sits on many committees, including the Dhelk Dja Koori Caucus for Aboriginal family violence.?

She lobbies for the rights of Aboriginal women and their families impacted by domestic and family violence and is the elder for the Aboriginal women’s refuge being built in Horsham.?

Separate from her formal duties, Auntie Pam is a foster carer for Aboriginal children in care.?

Chris Harrison – Community Member Award?

Chris’ dedication to the local Aboriginal community is evident through his extensive community work. He is on various committees and boards, including the Community Justice Panel where he is the Statewide chair and has been for the last 15 years.??

As a proud Wotjobaluk man, Chris is a mentor to young people and advocates for Aboriginal people in the justice system and broader community.??

Leading Senior Constable Les Power – Victoria Police Employee Award?

Les has been a driver of many initiatives that strengthen the relationship between police and the Aboriginal community since becoming a Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer in 2009.?

Les has supported the local Aboriginal community in Horsham through his involvement in programs such as the Murray River Marathon, Aboriginal and Emergency Services Kayak Race, which became the Wimmera River Challenge, Police Koori Youth Group, Hoops Against Violence, and Grampians Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group.???

Adina King (Department of Justice Community Safety) – Organisation/Group Award??

Adina is a proud Awabakal woman who works to improve the justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Grampians region.??

In her current role as the Executive Officer to the Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee she works as a conduit between government agencies and Wotjobaluk Nations.?

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative – Aboriginal Organisation Award?

The Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that provides a range of health, support and cultural services across the Wimmera region.?

They provide various programs that support and advocate for Aboriginal people including the Aboriginal Youth Justice Program which aims to support young people who have been in the justice system or are at risk of entering it.??

Congratulations to all the award recipients.???