Celebrating Koorie training, education and employment at the Wurreker Awards

Pictured from L-R: VSA advisory board member - Elaine Gillespie, VSA advisory board chair - Lisa Line, and VSA advisory board member - Fiona MacDonald.

Hosted by The Victorian Aboriginal Education Association (VAEAI(opens in a new window)), the 19th annual Wurreker Awards were held on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, at Thornbury’s Aboriginal Advancement League in late September.

The Wurreker Awards showcase and celebrate the people and organisations that passionately contribute to Koorie training, education and employment, and are a great example of how high-quality training can open new directions for Koorie people.

Among the attendees were Minister for Skills and TAFE the Hon. Gayle Tierney, VSA Deputy CEO Lee-Anne Fisher and several members of the VSA Advisory Board(opens in a new window) including Neville Atkinson, a Bangerang man from North-East Victoria who is also the VAEAI’s Executive Manager, Programs and Policy.

It’s not just the award recipients that benefit from the event, with representatives from the VSA being inspired by the winners, guest speakers and the overall commitment from the VAEAI. VSA Advisory Board Chair Lisa Line expressed her honour at attending and to be present at such an extraordinary evening, filled with passion, inspiration and celebration. She went on to congratulate Neville Atkinson on the outcomes he continues to deliver, helping Koorie people thrive through prosperity - where skills are at the very core.

The VSA(opens in a new window) has a strong focus on supporting Aboriginal advancement. At the VSA’s recent Victorian Training Awards Taylor Hampton(opens in a new window) from Kangan Institute was named Victorian Koorie Student of the Year, recognising achievements of a Koorie student who demonstrates the relevance of lifelong learning for themselves and their community.