Ricci Marks Award
Nominations for the Ricci Marks Young Achievers Award now close on 30 April 2013
An Aboriginal selection panel will consider the following in making their decision:
- What are the young persons achievements and aspirations?
- How are they demonstrating leadership and initiative?
- How are they contributing to the Victorian Aboriginal Community?
Recognising Young Aboriginal Achievers
The Ricci Marks Award originated in 1997 as the Aboriginal Young Achievers Award. The award seeks to recognise individual achievements and aspirations of young Aboriginal people in training, education, arts, sport, culture and community leadership.
In 2004, the award was named in memory of Ricci Marks, a proud Wotjobulak man who in his short life made an outstanding contribution to his community and received the Aboriginal Young Achievers Award in 2000.
The Ricci Marks Award is provided by the Victorian Government to encourage and support young Aboriginal people to pursue their goals and aspirations. Each year, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs awards a $5000 bursary to two young people who are demonstrating leadership and initiative in the Victorian Community. The Minister also awards a $500 encouragement award.
The presentation will be held on Friday 7 June 2013 at the Korin Gamadji Institution (KGI) at the Richmond Football Club.
There will be a youth forum in the morning, followed by lunch and then the award recipients presentation.
For more information
Please email Marie Hapke or call on: (03) 9208 3261Ricci Marks Award 2012: Recognising Young Aboriginal Achievers
The achievements of 20 outstanding young Aboriginal Victorians were celebrated at the 16th annual Ricci Marks Awards.
The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell announced that Benson Saulo and Verhonda (Bonnie) Smith were the recipients of the 2012 Ricci Marks Awards.
Benson Saulo, the first Aboriginal Australian to have been appointed as the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, has inspired many young people throughout Australia. Benson is passionate about Aboriginal youth leadership and currently holds the position of the National Director of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy.
Verhonda (Bonnie) Smith is a student of Indigenous Studies and History at The University of Melbourne. Bonnie excels in netball and was also captain of the National Indigenous Schoolgirl’s Netball team for two years. Her fundraising efforts for the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program led her to the Kokoda Track and remote Kimberley. Bonnie is motivated to promote health living and uniting the community through sport.
Each recipient receives a $5,000 bursary to support their future learning and development.
This year’s Encouragement Award was presented to Edward (Eddie) Bryant from Shepparton. Eddie was the first Aboriginal student at his primary school to be a School Captain. Eddie excels in sport, the performing arts and has also learned Auslan. Eddie aspires to be a strong Aboriginal leader and role model for his community.
Nominees for the 16th annual Ricci Marks Award were received from communities from across Victoria.
Visit the Previous Recipients page to see a listing of all those who have received the Young Achiever Award since it's inception in 1997.