Media Release
Queensland Community Organisation Named Winner
Media Release - 7 June 2005Sisters Inside Inc. has been
announced as the winner of the inaugural Australian Community Idol 2005
competition. The announcement was made today at the Communities in
Control Conference 2005, co-convened by Our Community and Centacare
Catholic Family Services.
Sisters Inside Inc. from Brisbane, Queensland is an independent community organisation advocating for the human rights of women in the criminal justice system in Queensland. The organisation works alongside women in prison in the Southeast of the state to fill the gaps in services that are available to them. The organisation, along with the two other finalists had to compete in a TV Idol format - arguing their case in front of conference-goers who voted on the spot for their favourite.
"Everything we do is for the women inside who do not belong in prisons," said Debbie Kilroy, Director of Sisters Inside Inc. "Our mission is creating a system that treats all women with respect and dignity regardless of race, culture, sexuality or age. This is a just reward for all of our workers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty under the most difficult circumstances."
Over 150 Australian community groups entered the competition which aimed to find the group with broad levels of participation, excellent board management and innovative services. The community judging panel to select the finalists was headed by the legendary sports administrator and former Australian basketball coach Lindsay Gaze. The winner was decided by the delegates to the conference, which attracted more than 1500 community representatives over three days, and announced by former Victorian Premier, The Hon. Joan Kirner.
"We were overwhelmed by the quality of our three finalists. Each of them is a star but there could only be one 2005 Australian Community Idol," enthused Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, Chief Executive of Our Community. "Democracy has spoken and the delegates at the conference have declared Sisters Inside Inc to be the Australian Community Idol 2005."
"Through my work in prisons I have seen first hand the needs of the people inside and the lack of services available to meet those needs," said Fr Joe Caddy, co-convener of the Communities in Control Conference and the Chaplain to Melbourne's maximum security men's prisons. "The unique work of Sisters Inside is about ensuring the human rights of women in prison are protected."
As winner of the Australian Community Idol 2005 Sisters Inside Inc. will receive $3000 prize money. After seeing the finalists' presentations Alcoa was moved to provide $2000 to the two runners-up.
All three finalists will also receive a collection of Our Community publications on fundraising, grants, board building and more plus subscriptions to all Our Community newsletters.
The other two finalists were:
Community Idol Commendations were awarded to the following groups:
To read the addresses each Commuity Idol finalist made to the Communities in Control Conference, follow these links:
For more information about Sisters Inside Inc. visit www.sistersinside.com.au. Interviews available with Debbie Kilroy of Sisters Inside Inc. Media contact Hootville Communications on 03 9510 0848 or hootville@hootville.com. Dr Rhonda Galbally can be contacted on 0419 399 655 or Brian Walsh on 0411 22 7585.
Sisters Inside Inc. from Brisbane, Queensland is an independent community organisation advocating for the human rights of women in the criminal justice system in Queensland. The organisation works alongside women in prison in the Southeast of the state to fill the gaps in services that are available to them. The organisation, along with the two other finalists had to compete in a TV Idol format - arguing their case in front of conference-goers who voted on the spot for their favourite.
"Everything we do is for the women inside who do not belong in prisons," said Debbie Kilroy, Director of Sisters Inside Inc. "Our mission is creating a system that treats all women with respect and dignity regardless of race, culture, sexuality or age. This is a just reward for all of our workers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty under the most difficult circumstances."
Over 150 Australian community groups entered the competition which aimed to find the group with broad levels of participation, excellent board management and innovative services. The community judging panel to select the finalists was headed by the legendary sports administrator and former Australian basketball coach Lindsay Gaze. The winner was decided by the delegates to the conference, which attracted more than 1500 community representatives over three days, and announced by former Victorian Premier, The Hon. Joan Kirner.
"We were overwhelmed by the quality of our three finalists. Each of them is a star but there could only be one 2005 Australian Community Idol," enthused Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, Chief Executive of Our Community. "Democracy has spoken and the delegates at the conference have declared Sisters Inside Inc to be the Australian Community Idol 2005."
"Through my work in prisons I have seen first hand the needs of the people inside and the lack of services available to meet those needs," said Fr Joe Caddy, co-convener of the Communities in Control Conference and the Chaplain to Melbourne's maximum security men's prisons. "The unique work of Sisters Inside is about ensuring the human rights of women in prison are protected."
As winner of the Australian Community Idol 2005 Sisters Inside Inc. will receive $3000 prize money. After seeing the finalists' presentations Alcoa was moved to provide $2000 to the two runners-up.
All three finalists will also receive a collection of Our Community publications on fundraising, grants, board building and more plus subscriptions to all Our Community newsletters.
The other two finalists were:
- Horn of Africa Communities Network Inc. (HACN) based in Footscray, Victoria offer a range of programs and services in employment, housing and education to ensure a better quality of life for Horn of Africa humanitarian and refugee settlers. The organisation is committed to equality for Horn of Africa minorities and promoting the development of an African-Australian identity for new arrivals.
- CERES (the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) from Brunswick, Victoria. CERES is a community environment project which aims to encourage community participation in environmental sustainability and social equity in urban areas.
Community Idol Commendations were awarded to the following groups:
- Helping Hands Volunteer Program (Shoalhaven, NSW);
- Milang Progress Association ( Milang, SA);
- Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre (Mt Beauty, VIC);
- Golden Mile Community House Inc. (Kalgoorlie, WA);
- Park for Play, (Mildura, VIC);
- Derwent Valley Economic Renewal Group Inc. (Derwent Valley, TAS;
- Melbourne Rainbow Band, (Melbourne, VIC);
- Riverwood Community Centre, (Riverwood, NSW);
- Bairnsdale/Amaroo Branch of the Country Women's Association of Victoria, (Bairnsdale, VIC);
- Northern Migrant Resource Centre, (Darebin/Banyule/Yarra/Whittlesea/Nillumbik/Moreland VIC).
To read the addresses each Commuity Idol finalist made to the Communities in Control Conference, follow these links:
- To view Sisters Inside's address, Click here.
- To view HACN's address, Click here.
- To view CERES's address, Click here
For more information about Sisters Inside Inc. visit www.sistersinside.com.au. Interviews available with Debbie Kilroy of Sisters Inside Inc. Media contact Hootville Communications on 03 9510 0848 or hootville@hootville.com. Dr Rhonda Galbally can be contacted on 0419 399 655 or Brian Walsh on 0411 22 7585.