Mollie Dyer Awards

VACCA is delighted to announce the return of the Mollie Dyer Awards in 2021.

The Awards, now in their second year, were created in honour of VACCA’s inspirational co-founder Aunty Mollie Dyer.

Taking our cue from the exemplary and tireless work of our co-founder, the Mollie Dyer Awards celebrate excellence in work undertaken over the past 12 months in support of Aboriginal children, young people and families during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are three category areas through which to honour the work of Aboriginal Community Leaders, ACCO Leaders and Emerging Leaders and their contributions to Aboriginal child and family welfare, particularly children who are in out-of-home care.

Winners in each category will each receive a commemorative plaque and a cash prize of $3,000 for showing leadership through the crisis of the past 12 months.

The awards ceremony will be streamed via VACCA’s Facebook page and website on Friday 26 November 2021.

About Aunty Mollie Dyer

Throughout her life Aunty Mollie Dyer, a proud Yorta Yorta woman, was a courageous advocate for the rights of Aboriginal children and families. She held an unwavering belief in the strength of Country, Community and Culture.

Aunty Mollie had six children of her own and she fostered many other children and young people. She advocated tirelessly for the Aboriginal community, and especially for Aboriginal children in care to be placed with Aboriginal families whenever possible. She recognised the absolute importance of children and young people being supported to retain their connection with family, culture and community.  

In 1976, she and other Victorian Aboriginal community members, founded VACCA as the first Aboriginal–led agency to support Aboriginal children and families. And, within just three years, the number of Aboriginal children in care had reduced by 40 percent. 

Aunty Mollie’s passion and dedication inspired countless positive changes for Aboriginal child and family in government policy. She also played a key role in establishing other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, including the national peak body for Aboriginal child and welfare, SNAICC. 

In her lifetime, Aunty Mollie Dyer received many important awards for her dedicated service, including the Order of Australia, an International Year of the Child Award and the Advance Australia Award. Her vision and determination to improve the lives of Aboriginal children, young people and families remains an inspiration today.

Process

You will be guided through this nomination process.