Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Ten days to nominate for 2009 Australian Human Rights Medals and Awards
There’s only 10 days left to nominate for the Australian Human Rights Medals and Awards with the closing date on Friday, 2 October rapidly appoaching.
“There are Australians in cities, rural areas and in remote communities who each and every day are doing something to improve the human rights of others and to promote a fairer place for all of us,” Australian Human Rights Commission President Cathy Branson QC said.
“The Australian Human Rights Commission has been recognising the efforts of these individuals and organisations since 1987 by awarding the Human Rights Medal and Awards.
“We received in excess of 200 nominations last year and based on my observations over the last year, I suspect there will be at least the same amount this year,” she said.
“If you know anyone, anywhere, who is promoting or working to protect the human rights of other Australians please nominate them before Friday 2 October.”
Nominations are being called for the Human Rights Medal (sponsored by LexisNexis) which is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of human rights in Australia. The medal has a rich history of prestigious winners including Les Malezer, Jeremy Jones AM, Phillip Adams AO and Father Chris Riley AM. Nominations are also being called for the Young People’s Human Rights Medal (sponsored by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship) which is awarded to an individual under the age of 25 years (as of 3 July 2009) for their contribution to the promotion of human rights in Australia.
Ms Branson also called for nominations for the seven award categories of: Law, Community (Organisation), Community (Individual), Literature (non-fiction), Print Media, Television and Radio.
“The awards aim to recognise outstanding contributions made within communities or through the practice of law, through writing books about human rights issues or through the media,” Ms Branson said.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has a web-section, www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards,
containing all the information about the 2009 Human Rights Medals and Awards, including Award categories, how to enter, judging criteria, previous winners and how to buy a ticket to the awards ceremony.
There’s also a section for media, with the latest news releases, and information about the sponsors for this year’s Award ceremony which are: LexisNexis; the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship; the Law Council of Australia; iHR Australia; Trophyland; Vibe Australia; and,The Co-op Bookshop.
Nominations close on Friday, 2 October, 2009. Winners will be presented with their Medals and Awards at a gala luncheon ceremony to be held on Human Rights Day, Thursday 10 December 2009 at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney.
Please see the video message from Commission President, Cathy Branson, at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HNEZpSClp8
Tickets to awards: Ph: 02 9284 9618 or hrawards@humanrights.gov.au
$70 or $45 concession, includes two course luncheon, drinks and entertainment.
Media contact: Louise McDermott 02 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
Sponsors
