Recognising a 'game-changing' contribution

Our Ballarat Aboriginal Community Engagement (ACE) Officer Stacy Lovett-Kanoa was recently acknowledged with a special recognition award at the Regional Aboriginal Community Justice Awards for her work in supporting the Central Highlands’ First Nations community.

Ballarat Regional Manager Melanie Rudolphus said her office on Wadawurrung Country was proud of Stacy and that the award ‘was an incredible and well-deserved acknowledgement of her first year as our ACE officer.’

‘We relish the opportunity to celebrate a team member's accomplishments because there is a real sense of pride in belonging to an office that is delivering great outcomes for clients. The team and her work family are so happy for Stacy, as we know how much this means to her and the Waddawarrung community.’

Stacy has also played a crucial role in ensuring we provide a culturally safe service to our First Nations clients.

‘The ACE officer role has been a real game changer for our office, and it has been invaluable having someone with a connection to our local aboriginal community-controlled organisations as it has bridged a gap that once existed,’ said Melanie.

The award also means plenty to Stacy who was humbled by the accolade and thrilled that the award meant just as much to her family.

‘I am overwhelmed with emotion because this is the first time in my life I have won an award and it’s great for my children to see their mum achieve something, which in turn hopefully inspires them to put themselves out there in the future.’

‘The award also touched my parents as my Dad was a prominent Board member at the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative and Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, though he says I’ll need to win another 49 to catch up to him!’

Both Stacy and Melanie agree that the award is deserved recognition for the great work being done by our Ballarat office on behalf of First Nations clients in the region.

‘This award highlights that the work we are doing as a team is making a difference in the lives of people who have been subjected to a justice system that has traditionally worked against them. And most importantly, it means that there is a standard of care being applied to each case,’ said Stacy.

‘Finally, I’d like to thank my family for their love and support, my Victoria Legal Aid family who have given me the opportunity to pursue my passion and support my community within the justice system and Cathy Ward and Peter-Shane Rotumah for nominating me for the award.’

More information

Read more about our Aboriginal community engagement officers.