Recognising Outstanding Contributions

The ACFID Awards

ACFID presented three awards at its 2017 conference in Melbourne

Sir Ron Wilson Human Rights Award

ACFID awarded the prestigious Sir Ron Wilson Human Rights Award to the Referendum Council in recognition of their outstanding and collaborative consultative process on constitutional reform and their vitally important report to the Federal Parliament.

Receiving the award, Pat Anderson, Co-Chair of the Referendum Council said: “I am proud to accept this award on behalf of the Referendum Council, despite this being such a profoundly disappointing time for all First Nations Peoples and for those who support our continuing struggle for truth and justice. The Award reminds us of the depth of good will and support for true reconciliation in this country, which the government has chosen to ignore just as it has chosen to ignore the voices of our Peoples”.

ACFID’s Media Award

Foreign editor of Fairfax Media, Michael Bachelard and photojournalist Kate Geraghty were awarded ACFID’s media award for their series of stories which profiled people living under the ravages of Islamic State.

Presenting the award, ACFID’s President, Sam Mostyn said: “In a very competitive field, these extraordinary pieces were selected on their power to evoke our common humanity. Michael’s skilful writing and Kate’s exceptional photography and video captured the lived experience of men, women and children under Islamic State with incredible accuracy, depth and sensitivity”.

ACFID’s Contribution to the Sector

Outgoing ADRA Australia CEO, Mark Webster, received ACFID’s Contribution to the Sector Award in recognition of his work on ACFID’s Development Practice Committee, through which he made “invaluable contributions” to the development of tools and workshops for learning and development across the sector.

On presenting the award, ACFID’s outgoing President, Sam Mostyn, said: “Generosity and a spirit of partnership have been hallmarks of Mark’s outstanding contribution to Australia’s aid and development sector. Mark has taken on a long list of responsibilities to the benefit of others and in doing so has demonstrated great integrity, leadership and positivity”.