Region’s leaders up for awards

BENDIGO is well represented in this year’s Community Achievement Awards for Regional Victoria, with four individuals and groups nominated for their hard work.

CEO of the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative, Raylene Harradine, is a finalist for the Community Hero Award, recognising her years of work making positive differences for Australia’s First Nations people.

The nomination made her stop and look back at her accomplishments but, like any leader, Ms Harradine said she’s excited for the work that still needs to be done.

“If you can make a difference for one person, it’s amazing. You’re affecting their life but then also having input on major decisions from a local to state to national or even an international level. Being a part of amazing things, I really enjoy that. We’re changing things,” she said.

She’s particularly proud her involvement in the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program with BDAC, and before her time there, her work on the Aboriginal Justice Agreement and the establishment of the Koori Court.

Ms Harradine said she was keen to rise to the challenges in her work, which has sometimes placed her in situations “totally” out of her comfort zone.

“In saying that, those uncomfortable moments, taking on more responsibility and thinking outside the box around a lot of things for me is a really good thing. It’s exciting but also scary at the same time,” she said.

“In reality, I wouldn’t have thought when I was younger that I’d be doing what I’m doing now.”

Ms Harradine said she enjoyed sitting side by side with her peers as an equal in the executive world and seeing more women climbing the ranks.

At BDAC, she’s currently overseeing the development of a $2 million kindergarten and a recently announced $7.3 million medical facility.

Another driving community force up for a win is co-founder of the Old Church on the Hill, Rose Vincent.

Her work heading the popular community space has earned her a chance at the Leadership and Innovation Award alongside the City of Greater Bendigo, nominated for their work to support multiculturalism in the region.

Bendigo Baptist Community Care is also in the running for the Community Group Award for their MADCOW program, which supports people experiencing homelessness.

Ms Vincent said while establishing the Old Church was never in her plan, it’s been supported by a strong network of people as passionate as her to see it thrive.

“I feel like, really, our whole community should be nominated because I’m very much a team player,” she said. “It’s been a real collaboration right from the beginning and continues to be.

“Everybody has a gift to bring to community work or initiatives.

“Walking around here I see people who are giving so much in their particular areas.

“It means that there’s an inclusive, community and strength-centred feel around the place where you can meet the other, people who might think very differently to you, look very different to you, in a different age category or cultural background.”

She believes spaces like the Old Church will play an important part in helping people recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their social lives.

“I know, personally, people who are in their homes too scared to come out at the moment. It’s going to take relationship, genuine friendship, gentleness and I think here at the Old Church we will be playing a role for more vulnerable people like that,” she said.

Award winners are set to be announced on 26 February.