The outstanding achievements and contributions of five young First Nations Victorians have been recognised at the 2023 Ricci Marks Awards, which were held at Melbourne Cargo Hall on Tuesday.
The annual awards celebrate the achievements and aspirations of young First Nations people in training, education, arts, sport, culture and community leadership.
At the ceremony, proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara man Yemurraki Egan and proud Gunditjmara–Noongar woman Jayde Couzens were recognised as co-recipients of the 2023 Ricci Marks Award.
Having previously been awarded the Maurie Pawsey Scholarship for Indigenous Place Making in 2020, Mr Egan is dedicated to increasing opportunities for First Nations people to enter the building industry.
He now works for the University of Melbourne's Estate Planning and Development department.
Ms Couzens was recognised for using her cultural background of storytelling to connect with her patients and create a culturally safe space whilst pursuing her dream to study and gain a career in nursing.
The awards also recognised Isaac Muller, Cobain Tipiloura and Elijah Aaron Brown, three First Nations Victorians on the rise, each receiving the Ricci Marks Rising Star Award.
Isaac Muller is a driven and proud Wiradjuri and Palawa man, who continues his cultural tradition of storytelling through his work with ABC Australia.
Elijah Aaron Brown, a young and proud Wiradjuri man, plays for the Bendigo Pioneers Under 18 football team and aspires to play at the highest level.
Cobain Tipiloura is from the Tiwi Islands and has been recognised for his leadership of young students at St Patrick's College Ballarat.
Victorian Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams attended the event to present Mr Egan and Ms Couzens each with a $5000 grant to continue their community work, and Mr Muller, Mr Brown and Mr Tipiloura each with a $1,500 grant
She said the award recipients were outstanding examples of young First Nations Victorians.
"The Ricci Marks Awards winners and nominees have all made remarkable contributions to their communities and represent the wide-ranging skills and strengths of young First Nations Victorians," Ms Williams said.
"These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the inspirational stories of young First Nations people and show just how much their hard work and determination contributes to the Victorian community."
Formerly named the Aboriginal Young Achiever Award, the awards were renamed in memory of Ricci Marks, a proud Wotjobaluk man who in his short life made an outstanding contribution to the Victorian community.
