NT Human Rights Award winners full list
Awesome advocates, lovely lawyers, magnificent mentors and brilliant boards — the NT Human Rights Awards recognised these people and more. See the list.
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Find out who the “unsung” Territorian human rights heroes were at this year’s NT Human Rights Awards.
The awards recognise Territorian individuals and organisations committed to promoting and protecting human rights, as well as Indigenous laws and knowledge.
In her keynote speech, Shahleena Musk, the current Children’s Commissioner in the Office of the Children’s Commissioner NT, drew attention to the “impact recent changes to laws and policies have on the rights of vulnerable Territory children”.
Ms Musk said the awards reminded her of the importance of introducing a Human Rights Act into both Territory and Federal law.
The awardees came from many different fields and walks of life, accepting awards for their work in the four categories of diversity, youth justice and social change.
The awards - the Fitzgeralds - are named after influential former NT anti-discrimination commissioner Tony Fitzgerald.
Individual joint winners for The Fitzgerald Diversity Award were Khami Aughterson and Ramnik Singh Walia.
Ms Aughterson’s 25 years of legal service saw her consistently promote and advocate for human rights, peace and equal opportunity.
Mr Walia was recognised for his work in addressing human rights violations and championing the rights of older Australians in Top End communities.
The organisation winner of the Diversity Award was Sikh Family Food Van, a community-driven food truck that feeds 350 individuals each week.
This year’s individual Youth Award recipient was Riece Ranson.
Mr Ranson has drawn on his own experience to empower disadvantaged youth through art and mentorship for more than five years.
The organisation award winner was Yalu Aboriginal Corporation’s Girl Power Group.
The Girl Power Group was recognised for its “transformative” work in Galiwinku, providing a safe space for young women to talk and support each other.
The joint individual winners of the 2024 Justice Award were Kevin Banbury and Greg Phelps.
Mr Banbury has been a “tireless advocate” for Indigenous people in the Barkly region for more than 20 years, most recently as a lawyer for NT Legal Aid in Tennant Creek.
Mr Phelps was recognised for his decade-long pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2009 Montara oil spill - many of which are poor Indonesian farmers.
The Justice Award’s organisation winner was Justice Reform Initiative, an alliance of Australians committed to breaking the cycle of incarceration.
Yvonne Margarula took out this year’s Social Change Award for her campaigning to protect her people’s traditional country and cultural practices, including the Jabiluka site.
The organisation Social Change Award went to the Yilli Rreung Housing Board for its initiative that met the needs of 350 homeless people, providing them with safety, food and shelter.
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