Finalists for the 2016 Human Rights Awards will be announced over the next two weeks, starting with the Business awards category.

A total of 290 entries have been received across all eight categories, including;

• Human Rights Medal
• Young People’s Human Rights Medal
• Law Award
• Business Award
• Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award
• Racism. It Stops With Me Award
• Media Award
• Community Organisation Award

This year marks the the 30th anniversary since the establishment of the Australian Human Rights Commission, which was previously known as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC).

“Human rights deserve to be recognised, celebrated, respected and most importantly upheld. Please help us celebrate ordinary Australians and distinguished community leaders who have contributed to improving human rights in Australia,” said Professor Triggs.

The Awards will feature keynote speaker Dame Quentin Bryce, a former Governor-General and Sex Discrimination Commissioner, and entertainment from ARIA award winning Aboriginal singer/song-writer Archie Roach.

Previous winners of the Human Rights Medal include Peter Greste, Ian Thorpe, Eddie Mabo, the Rt Hon. Malcom Fraser, Ron Merkel QC, Sister Clare Condon, Dorothy Hoddinott and Elizabeth Evatt.

Event details

Date: Friday 9 December
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Location: The Westin Sydney

Each ticket includes a 2-course lunch and beverages.

Buy your ticket today: https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/tickets

For any questions, please contact (02) 9284 9779 or email hrawards@humanrights.gov.au

We look forward to seeing you there!

As we draw closer to the end of the year, the Commission is once again preparing to celebrate the many individuals and organisations that dedicate themselves to advancing human rights, freedoms and equality in Australia at the annual Human Rights Awards.

This year’s Awards ceremony will be a special one as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Commission.

Dame Quentin Bryce (pictured), former Governor-General and Sex Discrimination Commissioner, will deliver the keynote address paying special tribute to 30 years of human rights in Australia.

ARIA-award winning Indigenous singer and song writer Archie Roach will be performing at the event.

Event details

Date: Friday 9 December
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Location: The Westin Sydney

Each ticket includes a 2-course lunch and beverages.

Buy your ticket today: https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/tickets

For any questions, please contact (02) 9284 9779 or email hrawards@humanrights.gov.au 

We look forward to seeing you there!

This is your last chance to get in nominations for this year’s Human Rights Awards and special 30th anniversary celebrations.

Nominations close this Sunday 25 September at midnight.

“There are tens of thousands of Australians doing great work in their communities promoting human rights.

“Most of these people do it because they’re committed to a better and fairer Australia, and wouldn’t think twice about nominating for an Award.

“This is precisely why we need you to do it for them!”, said President Gillian Triggs.

We’re also keen for individuals, community groups and businesses to nominate themselves for the great work they’re doing.

“Individuals, businesses and organisations throughout Australia commit thousands of hours to making our society a better place. Don’t let their tireless efforts go unrecognised at this special 30th anniversary celebration,” said Professor Triggs.

The keynote address will be given by Dame Quentin Bryce who is both a former Governor-General and Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Aboriginal singer Archie Roach will be performing at the Awards.  He is a multi-award winning artist who has won several ARIAs and the Commission’s songwriting Award in 1990 for ‘Took the Children Away’.

Due to the overwhelming interest in the community category last year, this year we’re recognising individuals and community organisations in separate Awards categories.

Nominations can be made in eight categories. They are the Human Rights Medal, Young People’s Human Rights Medal, Law Award, Media Award, Business Award, Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award, Community Organisation Award, and the Racism. It Stops With Me Award.

Nominate today at https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/general-nomination-form

Photo: Gillian Triggs and representatives of the 2015 Award winners, Tasmanian Students Against Racism

Australian Human Rights Commission President Gillian Triggs is calling for nominations for the 2016 Awards.

“I know so many of you are quiet achievers in this area. But this is not a time to be shy about the excellent work you and others are doing.

“Human rights deserve to be recognised, celebrated, respected and most importantly upheld. Please help us celebrate ordinary Australians and distinguished community leaders who have contributed to improving human rights in Australia,” said Professor Triggs.

Nominations close this Friday, so there’s not a lot of time.  However, nominating somebody for an Award is a quick and simple online process:

https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/general-nomination-form

This year is also the 30th anniversary of the Australian Human Rights Commission, so it’s a particularly special celebration.

Professor Triggs will be introducing the event and the keynote will be given by Dame Quentin Bryce who is both a former Governor-General and Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Multi-Award winning Aboriginal singer/song-writer Archie Roach will be performing at this year’s event.

Archie has won several ARIAs, as well as a Deadly Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indigenous Music with his partner Ruby Hunter.   In 2008 they shared a Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award for their contribution to Australia’s performing arts.

Archie won the Commission’s song-writing Award in 1990 for ‘Took the Children Away’ which is also featured on the soundtrack to the ‘Bringing Them Home’ video. 

He’ll perform the song at this year’s celebration of thirty years of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

This year’s Human Rights Awards will mark 30 years since the Australian Human Rights Commission came into existence.

“The Commission has a long and proud history of working with the community to protect the rights of all Australians.

“Just one of the significant moments in the last 30 years was the landmark ‘Bringing Them Home’ report which highlighted the plight of the stolen generations,” said President Gillian Triggs.

This year’s Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate significant milestones in human rights advancements made over the last 30 years.

Nominations for all eight categories in the 2016 Human Rights Awards are now open.

They are the Human Rights Medal; Young People’s Human Rights Medal; Business Award; Racism. It Stops With Me Award; Media Award; Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award; Community Organisation Award and the Law Award.

This year the Awards will revert to having two separate Community categories, after last year’s record number of nominations in the combined Community category.

Previous winners of the prestigious Human Rights Medal include Peter Greste, Eddie Mabo, Rt Hon Malcom Fraser, Ian Thorpe, Jeremy Jones, Professor Fred Hollows, Sister Clare Condon and Dorothy Hoddinott.

Last year broke all Awards records for both the number of nominations and attendance, with more than 500 people turning out to celebrate the event at Sydney’s Westin Hotel.

“In this special anniversary year, I am keen to ensure that the 2016 Awards build on our success.

“I’d like to encourage everybody who knows an individual or organisation doing inspiring work on human rights to nominate them for an Award,” said Professor Triggs.

Nominations close on 11 September 2016. The awards will be presented on 9 December 2016.

Details and nomination forms are online at http://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au