Last Thursday at the Community NAIDOC Celebrations Event, two Forbes members were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the community.
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Aileen Allen and Kelly Bowden shared the honour of Aboriginal Person of the Year at the awards ceremony on South Circle Oval in front of a crowd of 1200 people.
The award for Aboriginal Person of the Year honours people who are dedicated to improving the lives of local indigenous people and the promotion of important issues.
As a community support officer at Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service and a vibrant member of the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre, Kelly Bowden stood out as a worthy candidate for the award.
As well as working full-time, Kelly is a mother and has completed numerous courses in the past 12 months including a Certificate II at TAFE Western.
Kelly was nominated by her direct supervisor at Binaal Billa FVPLS, Michelle Kable who said she was more than deserving of the award.
“Kelly is a strong, proud and beautiful Wiradjuri woman, mother, daughter, sister and friend,” she said.
“She should be commended for her commitment to continued improvement for both herself and her community.”
As an Aboriginal elder and long-time local, Aileen Allen has always been a voice for the indigenous community.
Aileen has been instrumental in establishing the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre and regularly visits local schools to talk to children about dreamtime stories and Aboriginal culture.
Aileen also works in partnership with Aboriginal trainee health workers at the Forbes Community Health Centre.
Lucinda Hyde works as an Aboriginal trainee health worker at Forbes Community Health and nominated Aileen for the award.
She has known Aileen for 25 years and said that she gets involved in everything.
“Aileen has played a major part in getting the Dreaming Centre up and running,” she said.
“She volunteers at most community events and volunteers her time at the local schools to showcase Aboriginal culture.
“Aileen is very passionate about her Aboriginality and her community.”
Forbes Shire Council’s community liaison officer Anita Morrison was at the awards ceremony last Thursday and said both Aileen and Kelly were active, influential members of the community.
“Both women are very passionate about their Aboriginality and the community,” she said.
Ms Morrison said the awards recognise the people who bring the community together.
“These awards are extremely important,” she said.
“Aboriginal people and their culture are vital to any community and this award recognises those that go above and beyond to close the gap, share culture and bring our community together.”
Last year at the NAIDOC celebrations Bronte Haynes won the youth award and Sophie LeStrange and Larry Towney were duel recipients of the Aboriginal Person of the Year.