Emerging and Community Leader of the Year
Published on 06 April 2022
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Emerging and Community Leader of the Year details
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Emerging Young Community Leader of the Year: Rose Stewart
Rose Stewart is a proud Taungurung and Gunditjmara woman, currently in Year 12 at Northcote High School. A keen footballer and cricketer, playing for Darebin Falcons and Holy Trinity Rose is quiet, mature and has excellent leadership skills. Rose works at both Clothing The Gaps and The Koorie Circle, squeezing driving lessons in in her spare time.
Rose has helped lead and grow The Koorie Circle family business which now has a store front on High Street. She is successfully managing a lot of responsibility for a young person and has made finishing school, staying active and finding time to be with friends.
The community is incredibly proud of Rose and the young woman she has become. She is respectful, community oriented and has a kind soul. Rose has a bright future ahead and we look forward to seeing what she does next!
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Leader of the Year winner, Aunty Cindy Bux
Awarded posthumously, the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Leader of the Year winner, Aunty Cindy Bux
Vale Aunty Cindy Bux 6 August 1961 – 17 December 2021
A proud Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta Aboriginal woman.
Aunty Cindy has now passed and is resting in the Dreaming. Vale Aunty Cindy Bux. 6 August 1961 – 17 December 2021. A proud Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta Aboriginal woman.
Aunty Cindy was the Programs Coordinator of Gurwidj Neighbourhood House, managed by the Aboriginal Advancement League.
Darebin Council’s relationship with Aunty Cindy began with her work at Gurwidj, where she provided care, support, and advocacy to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
She was an esteemed and loved Elder who gave so much to her community. Aunty Cindy was an artist, teacher, cultural educator, and a leader in her faith. She was a strong, generous, loving, warm, funny, vibrant, creative woman, who reached out and taught those who worked with her to listen, to respect and create honest and meaningful opportunities for First Nations women.
Many staff at Darebin worked closely with Aunty Cindy to develop ideas and initiatives. She never said no when we approached her with a new collaboration, but always made certain the idea and work was on her terms and the journey one of cultural respect for her and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“If I can be a light to people, because it’s a dark world out there, I will be a light.” – Aunty Cindy Bux Stories of Us Film featuring Aunty Cindy Bux.