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Great Southern Noongar champion wins community award

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockGreat Southern Herald
VideoEugene Eades has been running highly successful cultural healing programs in the Great Southern.

Eugene Eades has been recognised for his efforts to create a program to support disadvantaged and troubled young people by winning the community service award at the Western Australia Regional Achievement and Community Awards at the Hyatt Regency on Friday night.

Mr Eades created the Nowanup program, which uses cultural knowledge camps and healing activities on his property to connect kids to their culture and community.

It currently has more than 1500 participants a year.

He also runs cultural workshops for young Aboriginal people in the justice system, contributing to their sense of identity and worth as well as building cultural awareness and pride.

Mr Eades’ son Rocky received the award on behalf of his father and said his family was proud of his father.

“There is so much to his story, I don’t think I have time,” he said.

“He does all he can to keep our culture alive and well.

“Now he has his own little Noongar ranger team, another step towards Noongar people managing their land”

South Hedland’s Youth Involvement Council and Julian Pace from East Victoria Park were the other finalists for the community service award.

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