Oodgeroo Noonuccal honoured in inaugural Luminas
Activist and poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal has been announced as the arts/creative honouree in the Hall of Fame category of the inaugural Luminas honours program.
Presented by Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) and Media Diversity Australia (MDA), the Luminas recognises “exceptional First Nations and culturally diverse leaders shaping Australia’s cultural and media landscape”. Across 3 categories – Storyteller, Leadership and Hall of Fame – each honour recognises “excellence across the creative industries and media sectors, reflecting the depth and richness of Australia’s diverse cultural life, from bold storytelling to transformative leadership and lifelong achievement”.
Oodgeroo Noonuccal (1920–1993) was an Aboriginal rights activist, poet, veteran, environmentalist and educator. In 1942 she enlisted in the Australian Women’s Army Service, and after completing her service began a long career in political activism. In 1964, she became the first published Aboriginal poet in Australia. Her award-winning poetry reflected her culture and political beliefs. She is memorialised by the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Prize for Indigenous Poetry at the Queensland Poetry Awards.
Other Luminas honourees are photographer William Yang and journalist Jan Fran in the Storyteller category, theatre and arts director Rhoda Roberts and journalist Lorena Allam in the Leadership category, and Arab-Australian community leader Majida Abboud-Saab in the Hall of Fame category.
DARTS CEO and executive producer Lena Nahlous said, “It’s timely and necessary that we recognise and honour First Nations and culturally diverse communities, their labour, creativity and contribution to the arts and media. These are challenging times, and this event creates a moment that is intentionally celebratory, recognising what has been built and who has made it possible.”
MDA CEO Paula Kruger added, “The Luminas program shows all First Nations and culturally diverse people in Australian media that we see your work, we know your worth, and we value the way you kindle the potential of those around you. Our honourees today are fine examples of the Luminas spirit, and Media Diversity Australia looks forward to recognising many more of them in the future.”
More information is available on the website.
Category: Awards Local news
