Finalists announced for Community Organisation Award

The Australian Human Rights Commission has announced five finalists for the Human Rights Awards in the Community Organisation category.

The award is presented each year to a non-government or community based organisation with a proven track record in promoting and advancing human rights in the Australian community. This year’s shortlist includes a diverse range of organisations.

• End Rape on Campus Australia works to end sexual violence in universities and residential colleges through direct support of survivors and their communities.  It also works on prevention through education and advocating for policy reforms at the campus, state and federal level.

• Big hART is an arts organisation that was set up 25 years ago to find new ways of dealing with disadvantage. It works closely with communities to address a range of human rights and social justice issues, including the empowerment of Indigenous young people and young rural women.

• Twenty10 incorporating GLCS NSW is a Sydney based community organisation that provides frontline support to LGBTIQA+ people across New South Wales. It provides a broad range of specialised services including housing, counselling and social support.

• Rural Australians for Refugees - Castlemaine:  The Castlemaine branch of Rural Australians for Refugees is a not for profit organisation set up to raise awareness of the human rights of refugees. Volunteers are involved in providing practical and financial support for local refugee families.

• Blind Citizens Australia was set up in 1975 as the peak advocacy body for Australians who are blind or vision impaired.  It has played a key role in bringing about significant changes including tactile ground surface indicators and inclusion of blind specific standards in education. 

The winner of the Community Organisation award will be announced at the annual Human Rights Awards ceremony at the Westin Hotel in Sydney on Friday 8 December, 2017. Read more about the event and reserve a ticket.

Media contact: Lindy Kerin (02) 9284 9715 or 0430 266 529

lindy.kerin@humanrights.gov.au