Friday, 4 September 2009
Only four weeks left to nominate for the 2009 Australian Human Rights Medals and Awards
Australian Human Rights Commission President Cathy Branson QC has today urged human rights advocates to nominate themselves or others for this year’s Human Rights Medals and Awards ahead of the closing date on Friday, 2 October.
“Hundreds and thousands of Australians are working persistently around the country year in, year out, to improve the human rights of others and to promote a fairer place for all of us,” President Branson said.
“The Australian Human Rights Commission has been recognising these efforts since 1987 by awarding the Human Rights Medal and Awards to these quiet achievers without whose efforts, our country would be the poorer.
“If you know anyone, anywhere around the country who has been actively trying to protect and promote the human rights of others, nominate them before Friday 2 October.”
Nominations are being called for the Human Rights Medal and Young People’s Human Rights Medal and seven award categories: 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
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