Arthur Hamilton Award

Arthur Hamilton Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education from eligible educators or a group of educators in public schools and TAFE Institutes who demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality education to Aboriginal Students and Torres Strait Islander Students.

Background to the Award

The Arthur Hamilton Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education is named in honour of Arthur Hamilton, a proud Palawa man, educator and union activist and is in recognition of the contribution that Arthur made to Aboriginal education and Torres Strait Islander education, both in Tasmania and nationally. This Award was previously known as the Arthur Hamilton Award for Reconciliation.

Arthur passed away in 2004 leaving behind a legacy of a strong consciousness for equity and social justice, cross-cultural awareness, recognition of Indigenous Peoples and the elimination of racism within the Australian Education Union and in schools.

The AEU is proud to recognise the work of our comrade, colleague and friend through the naming of this Award.

Award Criteria

The Award will be presented to an educator or group of educators who demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high-quality education to Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students in one or more of the following ways:

Implementing a whole school/TAFE Institute approach to Aboriginal education and Torres Strait Islander education;
Improving outcomes for Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students;
Improving the engagement of Aboriginal parents and Torres Strait Islander parents, and members of their broader communities in school decision-making processes; and
Developing and implementing an innovative product or program relevant to Aboriginal education and Torres Strait Islander education

Award Concept

This Award is in recognition of AEU members who are committed to ensuring that all Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students have the right to high quality education throughout their lives. The AEU is dedicated to ensuring that all Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have local access to a free, publicly funded education system, which affirms cultural identity, and enables Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to contribute to, and participate in, their own, and broader society.

Eligibility

Who is eligible to be nominated for an Award?

An individual educator who is a financial member of an AEU Branch or Associated Body; or
A school/TAFE Institute or a group of educators who are AEU members, as above.

Who can nominate?

The nominators must be from one of the following groups:

An AEU financial member of an AEU Branch or Associated Body;
A state or territory Aboriginal Education Advisory or Consultative Group, eg AECG;
A local Aboriginal organisation and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation;
An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander education committee (or similar) based at a public school and/or TAFE Institute

Prize

The winner of the award will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and their work will be recognised by the AEU in an appropriate public forum in 2027. All nominees will receive a certificate from the AEU.

Nomination Form

AEU Arthur Hamilton Award Nomination Form.

Applications should not exceed five (5) pages of supporting documents or a maximum of ten (10) minutes if the presentation is on video.

Nomination Tips:

Tell a clear story related to the Award Criteria
How does the project support cultural learning and identity?
Explain how outcomes have improved for Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students – can this be quantified?
What engagement has there been with Aboriginal parents and community and Torres Strait Islander parents and community?
Include articles featuring the project from a newsletter, news or website, etc.
Provide an example of the innovative product or program
Are there students, parents or community who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who can provide words of support for the project?