Shooting Stars would like to congratulate board member Dr Richard Walley on being named the 2021 WA Senior Australian of the Year at a ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Thursday.
Noongar leader Dr Walley, was recognised for his exceptional contributions towards reconciliation. A champion of Wadjuk and Noongar people, he shares his profound knowledge of language, cultural practices and historic injustices – cultivating a deeper respect and recognition of Aboriginal culture.
This recent award sits alongside the many other awards he has received over the years including Order of Australia, Honorary Doctorate, and WA Citizen of the Year.
Shooting Stars Executive Officer, Fran Haintz congratulated Dr Walley for being recognised for his contribution to Aboriginal culture.
“On behalf of Shooting Stars and the wider netball community, I would like to congratulate Richard Walley on receiving the 2021 WA Senior of the Year Award,” Haintz said.
“Richard has been a great leader, as a member of the Glass Jar Australia Board and avid supporter of Shooting Stars and I would like to acknowledge his work in and for the Western Australian community.”
A proud Nyoongar man, Richard was born in Meekatharra in 1953 and grew up in bush camps south of Perth. At 23 he was chairing the Aboriginal Advisory Board and was actively involved in the formation or operation of the Aboriginal Housing Board, Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Alcoholism Committee, Aboriginal Sports Foundation and the New Era Aboriginal Fellowship.
In 2010, Richard was awarded Citizen of the Year in the Indigenous Leadership category of the Celebrate WA Awards and the following year, he performed a Welcome to Country for the Queen during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth.
In 1991, he was named the NAIDOC Aboriginal Artist of the Year and two years later, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the arts and promotion of Nyoongar culture.
The WA award recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2021.
