Lesley Ugle and Sharon Cooke take home accolades in 2023 South West NAIDOC Awards for community achievements

Two Noongar women working within the Harvey and Waroona regions have been recognised for their contributions to community. Lesley Ugle and Sharon Cooke both took home accolades at the 2023 South West NAIDOC Awards held at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on July 8 in honour of their numerous achievements. Ms Cooke received the Education Award, notching out fellow finalists Richard Bennell and the Stephen Michael Foundation. After training as a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education worker and a primary school teacher, she is now a Noongar language specialist. Ms Cooke was instrumental in forming the Aboriginal Families as First Educators playgroup program at St Joseph’s School Waroona, helping bring the first Noongar students and families to the school. In Harvey, she has undertaken first nations language work which has created lasting relationships with both Noongar and non-Aboriginal members of the community. A senior director of Bilya Moorditjabiny Training Services, Ms Cooke facilitates their culture-intelligent training program. She paid a special acknowledgement to her mother Melba Wallam. “Without her and dad, I probably never would have been in education in the way that I am,” she said. Ms Cooke mentioned a conversation she had with her father when she felt like she could not continue working in schools. “My dad said ‘no way...you’re a teacher and you’ll always be your teacher, so keep up the good work’, so I love my family for the support,” she said. Ms Ugle took out the Community Person of the Year award for her multiple achievements within the Harvey community, nudging out fellow finalists Ms Cooke and Max Jetta Jr. The chairperson of the Harvey Aboriginal Corporation, she played a key role in setting up the organisation and provides advice to many key stakeholders in the region. She is a member of the South West Aboriginal Medical Service and Harvey Community Resource Centre boards and a director of the Myalup Karla Waangkiny rehabilitation project. Ms Ugle has her own Noongar program on Harvey Community Radio and trains volunteers for the organisation. Alcoa Wagerup community relations manager Tom Busher presented the award, describing his “enormous respect” for the Harvey Elder. “I don’t think I’ve met an Elder come in with a hardened workforce in their overalls, do a Welcome to Country and then work her way through talking to a group of 50, middle aged white blokes and have such a profound impact as she does,” he said. “She’s a fabulous representative.” Ms Ugle was unable to attend the awards ceremony, with the awards accepted on her behalf by Ms Cooke. Ms Ugle humbly declined to comment when contacted about her award win. Collie Elder Norman Hayward took out the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for his 40 years working for Westrail as its first Aboriginal train driver and fostering 120 Aboriginal children with his late wife Shirley. Some of his other achievements include working with Catholic Education WA to develop Aboriginal scholarships and lobbying to ensure Centrelink remained open in Collie. In presenting the award, Mr Busher described Mr Hayward as an outstanding elder who always seeks to help others with cultural decisions and conversations. “A devoted family man, husband and elder, he’s inspired many nephews and nieces, his grandchildren and others to be respectful, hardworking, and be always kind,” he said. Mr Hayward said he has been able to achieve some “very good” outcomes. “Over the years, Collie has been good to us - we’ve met a lot of people,” he said. “It’s been a good journey, but I have got a few more years to go yet.” A husband-wife duo took out the Male and Female Elder Awards, with Lorraine Bennell and Richard Bennell honoured for 20 years of service to Didji Didji Aboriginal School. For more than 20 years, Mr and Ms Bennell were involved with running the bus service to Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School, acting as role models for students and helping teach them life skills. Mr Bennell also worked for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and served as chairman of Community Development Employment Projects, while Ms Bennell has used her Bachelor of Indigenous Studies degree in work in the Pilbara and Goldfields regions. Master of ceremonies Max Jetta Jr received the sportsperson award for his work within the South West Football League and in recognition of his recent stands against racism, while rising sports star Basil Hart took out the Youth Award. Lynette Narkle spoke of her wish to continue working with future storytellers while accepting the Creative Talent accolade, with Kerry Collard speaking about the connection between culture and the environment after receiving the Caring for Country and Culture Award. Erica Dimer struggled to hold back tears after being given the Innovation Award for celebrating her culture by creating signs within Big W Bunbury in Noongar language. Australind-based Elder Dennis Jetta and Harvey netball star Donnell Wallam were both acknowledged for their National NAIDOC Awards nominations.