Monday, 27 October 2008
Tickets on sale for prestigious human rights medals and awards ceremony
Tickets are now on sale for the 2008 Human Rights Medals and Awards Ceremony to be held in Sydney on 10 December.
President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Hon. Catherine Branson QC - who will also be delivering her first human rights oration at the luncheon ceremony - said tickets were now available for the prestigious annual event.
“This year’s Awards ceremony is particularly relevant as it is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights passed by the United Nations in 1948,” Ms Branson said.
“In keeping with the anniversary of the Universal Declaration, the theme for this year’s awards is the UN Human Rights Day theme for 2008, ‘Dignity and justice for all of us’.
“Attending the 2008 Awards ceremony gives you the chance to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of local human rights heroes and quiet achievers who have been working tirelessly in communities around the country to improve and assist Australian society,” she said.
“The Human Rights Medals and Awards were set up 21 years ago to recognise the selfless and often uncelebrated efforts these people make in their day-to-day lives protecting human rights and fighting for social justice and equality.”
The 2008 Human Rights Awards and Medals will be presented at the ceremony in the following categories: Human Rights Medal; Young People’s Human Rights Medal; Community (Individual) Award; and Community (Organisation) Award.
Awards are also awarded in the categories of Law (sponsored by the Law Council of Australia), Literature (Non-fiction), Print Media, Television and Radio.
Winners will be presented with their Medals and Awards at the gala luncheon ceremony at the Grand Ballroom, Sheraton on the Park Hotel, Sydney, on 10 December 2008.
Tickets are $65 or $40 concession and include a two course luncheon, drinks and entertainment. They can be purchased by phoning 02 9284 9618 or online at www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/tickets.html
The judging process is now underway and shortlists for each category (except the Human Rights Medal and Young Person’s Human Rights Medal) will be available on the Commission website form late November.
Subscribe to www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/index.html for updates on the 2008 Awards and Medals ceremony.
Media contact: Louise McDermott (02) 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597.
