Awards

| Paramedic of the Year |
| Aboriginal Health Worker Excellence Awards |

Paramedic of the Year Awards.

This month is an extremely busy month. We started the month undertaking the breathalizer testing at the Darwin Cup. Also this month we have the 10th NT Paramedic Awards. These awards are a fantastic avenue to highlight those who risk their lives to offer the hand of assistance to those who are compromised and perhaps in life threatening situations. It is only when you need these professionals, do you appreciate the skills and knowledge they give.

At the end of August is our second Beer appreciation evening. For those who attended this last year, will agree that the evening was better than expected and the Sailing Club venue added to the ambience of the evening. I hope to see a lot of you there again this year.

Aboriginal Health Worker Excellence Awards

The first awards were held in November 2006 in recognition of this group of professionals who are the bridge between remote communities and the health system in the NT. It was seen as a need by RCDS Rotarian Wendy Mackay who first tabled the proposal.

The unrelenting work undertaken by the committee (including Malika Okeil and Di Borella) ensured the events success. The was only 9 weeks between the idea to the event and the Rotary Club of Darwin Sunrise produced an event that is seen as a significant event in the health arena by both government and Aboriginal Medical Services organisations.

This event really did “make dreams real” for the Aboriginal Health Workers within the NT.

The first year saw the categories of Remote, Urban and Acute. The overall winner from all of these categories was awarded the “Legend” award. This perpetual trophy is displayed in the NT Parliament House.

The highly commended received a study bursary for $800 and the winner received a bursary for $1500. The overall legend winner received an additional $3000.

These awards would not be possible without the ongoing support of the Department of Health and Families, and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. And it is to these two partners that the Rotary Club of Darwin Sunrise says a sincere thank you to.

In 2007, the Club was approached by the NT Secretary of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union to be a partner in these events. The Aboriginal Health Workers are all members of this union. So, in 2007, there was a new category introduced into the awards – the New Practitioner. It is this category that will ensure that the Aboriginal Health Worker profession grows from strength to strength in the years to come.

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