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This article was published on Monday, 4 June, 2018. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Council wins HART Awards

With 15 finalists over three categories, the HART Awards recognise outstanding initiatives in reconciliation within Local Government and Community.

The 2018 HART Award winners include:

City of Greater Shepparton for their Aboriginal Street Art Project
Lake Bolac Eel Festival Inc for Kuyang Lapakira (plenty eels)
Inner North West Primary Care Partnership for their project Working in Two Worlds

This award shows that when Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians and organisations commit to meaningful, two-way relationships, there is opportunity for tremendous change.

The theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week, “Don’t keep history a mystery: Learn. Share. Grow”, encourages the community to partake in, enjoy, and learn about the rich cultural history of Aboriginal Victorians.

The Awards are a partnership between the Victorian Local Governance Association and Reconciliation Victoria, supported by Bank Australia and Local Government Victoria.

The Aboriginal Street Art Project features a series of murals throughout the CBD that are dedicated to celebrate and recognise the local Aboriginal people and the Aboriginal Culture and History within the region.

The first mural features both Sir Douglas Nicholls and William Cooper. The mural is located at the Goulburn Valley Water wall on Fryers Street, Shepparton and was launched in May 2017.

Stage two of the project includes two further murals. The first mural is featured on the wall of Goulburn Valley Water - south of the mural depicting William Cooper and Pastor Sir Douglas Nichols. The mural features Aunty Margaret (Marge) Tucker and Nanny Nora Charles - two significant past local female elders.

The second mural of stage two acknowledges local Aboriginal people who served in war. The Eastbank Wall mural features Private Daniel Cooper who was a Yorta Yorta man and fought for Australia during World War I. Council will now commence preparation for Stage 3 of the Aboriginal Street Art Project.

Council would like to thank the Shepparton Reconciliation Group for nominating Council for this award.