Aboriginal Woman of the Year: Kirsty Hargraves, Lynda Edwards recognised for their local effort
Two Central West Indigenous women have been selected as finalists for the Aboriginal Woman of the Year Award 2023. Read their inspiring stories supporting their communities here.
Dubbo News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Dubbo News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two Central West women have been named finalists for the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year Award, as their effort to support their community are recognised.
Dubbo’s Kirsty Hargraves and Narromine’s Lynda Edwards have been made finalists for implementing their cultural knowledge in Indigenous programs and supporting their communities.
Ms Hargraves is a proud Tubbagah and Binjan woman who has worked for Taronga Western Plains Zoo, delivering high impact programs for Indigenous at-risk young people and children.
The program, Walanmarra, aims to create pathway programs for children to get experience in the zoo or similar industries.
“The program teaches kids social skills, how to care for animals and increases their work ethic,” Ms Hargraves said.
“We have had a lot of success from the program and a lot of people asked how they could be a part of it so we wanted to create another program that other services in Dubbo could be involved in.”
The regional youth program is targeted for “children who are disengaged in school or are on the police radar”.
“The zoo is a safe space and we have had the opportunity to create a safe cultural setting based on what children need,” she said. “The programs work, that’s why kids keep coming back.
“I love working with kids and I love working with my mob.
“I come from a strong family of Aboriginal women and by seeing the effects of what intergenerational trauma can do to people – that’s where my drive comes from.”
Ms Edwards is a proud Wangkumara woman, who is a dedicated voice and volunteer for her community and a strong advocate for financial rights of First Nations people across regional communities.
Before moving to Narromine, Ms Edwards lived in Bourke for a decade where she participated in NAIDOC week events, contributed to meals on wheels and visited the hospital for people who she was caring for.
When she moved to Narromine, she became more involved with sport and volunteered for the Narromine Basketball Association as both a secretary and a couch.
Ms Edwards has contributed in many other community events and is now an advocate for Indigenous rights in the Federal Government.
“I’ve realised that I can’t do it on my own, we are a community, and we have to collaborate to get jobs done,” Ms Edwards said.
“Never underestimate anyone, everyone has a value.”
Ms Edwards said it is an “honour” to just be nominated for the award.
Meet the talented young artists from ARTEXPRESS 2025
The annual art exhibition which shows some of the most outstanding and exemplary artworks across NSW by HSC visual arts students has opened. Meet the students and see their amazing works.
E-bike rider seriously injured in cop chase
A police pursuit in Dubbo was brought to a halt when an alleged fleeing e-bike rider plunged off an embankment and smashed into a creek bed, leaving him with serious injuries.