The Deadlys: Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

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Published in the HealthBulletin Journal

Posted on:

19 October, 2009

Issue

Vol 9 No 4, October 2009 - December 2009

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The Deadly Awards have again highlighted the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 15th Deadly Awards, held 15 October, 2009, celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence in sport, music, health, education, employment, film, media, art and design, literature and theatre. The Deadly Academy gave the award for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health to Chika Dixon.

Chicka Dixon

Charles ‘Chicka’ Dixon is recognised as one of the most influential people in current Aboriginal Australia. He grew up at Wallaga Lake and Wreck Bay on the New South Wales’ south coast. At an early age he found employment as a labourer on the waterfront at Port Kembla. His involvement in strike action during this time was the inspiration for a passion for politics, specifically the trade union movement.

Chicka’s many campaigns included the 1967 Referendum and the 1972 Aboriginal Tent Embassy which helped bring Aboriginal rights issues into the mainstream political and social forum.

Chicka Dixon received a nomination for the 1984 Aboriginal of the Year in recognition of his contributions to Aboriginal health, community development and culture.

Finalists also included:

Lynette Mowarin

Lynette Mowarin devoted her life to Aboriginal Health, working at the Roebourne Aboriginal Medical Centre, Mawarnkarra Health Service, in WA. Lynette who passed away during the early part of 2009 will be remembered for her inspiration and dedication to the improvement of the health of Indigenous people.

Dr Mark Wenitong

Dr Wenitong is currently the Senior Medical Officer at Apumipima, the Cape York Health Council service that manages the health issues and policies of Cape York communities. Dr Wenitong has been involved in the establishment of AIDA, and influential in acquiring much needed assistance for health programs and organisations in Far North Queensland.

Tristram Pigram

Tristram Pigram, captain of the Broome Saints football club is one of the active leaders in the ‘Alive and Kicking Goals’ program, a suicide-prevention program running in the town of Broome, WA.