Doctor in the running for a Deadly
A Cairns-based member of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council has been nominated for a prestigious Deadly Award.
The Deadlys encourage the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in Australia in areas ranging from health and employment, to music and the arts.
Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Desley Boyle said Dr Mark Wenitong was in the running for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the annual awards which are being held in Sydney this week (October 15).
“Dr Wenitong, a Kabi Kabi man, is the Senior Medical Officer at Apunipima Cape York Health Council where he is doing valuable work in health reform across the Cape York Aboriginal communities,” Ms Boyle said.
“He is one of the founders of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association and is heavily involved in medical education.
“We are also honoured in Queensland to have such an esteemed Indigenous Australian as Dr Wenitong on the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council.
“With his expertise, experience and networks, Dr Wenitong is among 14 Indigenous members of the Advisory Council which was launched in February this year.
“The Advisory Council has been tasked with advising the Queensland Government on practical strategies to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.”
Ms Boyle congratulated all of the Queensland nominees in the running to take out honours in the 15th annual Deadly Awards this year.
“The Deadlys began at Boomalli Artist Co-op in Redfern in 1995, and are now a glamorous affair held at the Sydney Opera House,” she said.
“They have become an event that allows the wider community to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and celebrate the many positive achievements of Indigenous Australians such as Dr Wenitong.
“No matter who takes the Deadly on the night, every nominee should be proud and stand tall – you are already a winner.”
Other Queensland nominees for this year’s Deadlys include:
- Northern Project Contracting P/L (NPC), for Contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment
- NRL player Johnathan Thurston
- Basketballer Nathan Jawai of Bamaga (Boomers player and NBA player in the States)
- and musical artists The Last Kinection, Zennith, Dubmarine and MC Dizzy Doolan.
The Deadly Awards are run by Vibe Australia, an Aboriginal media, communications and events management agency based in Sydney.
For more information on the 2009 Deadly Awards, visit www.vibe.com.au
Source: Queensland Government