The one who got away
Twice a year Australia honours those who have given of themselves for the betterment of the country…and usually the Jewish media misses one or two. Meet Dawn Lawrie who we missed this time…and Dawn hails from Darwin!
Here is what Government House had to say about Dawn Lawrie:
Ms Dawn LAWRIE, Nightcliff NT 0810
Dawn Lawrie
For significant service to public administration, particularly as an advocate for social inclusion, and to the Parliament of the Northern Territory.
Commissioner, Anti-Discrimination Commission, 1993; (the Northern Territory’s first anti-discrimination Commissioner).
Northern Territory representative, Committee on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation, International Labour Organisation.
Administrator, Cocos-Keeling Islands, 1988-1990.
Regional Director, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 1983-1988.
Member, Northern Territory Settlement Planning Committee.
Independent Member, Northern Territory Legislative Assembly (formerly Legislative Council), 1971-1983.
Disability Discrimination Advocate, Darwin Community Legal Service, since 2008.
Current Member, Community Aviation Consultation Committee, Northern Territory Airports Group.
Secretary, Darwin Symphony Orchestra Board.
Board Member, Friends of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.
Founding Member, Family Planning Association of the Northern Territory, circa the 1970s; Director, for several years.
Founding Member, Northern Territory Abortion Law Reform Association, circa the 1970s.
Executive Director, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Darwin.
Proprietor, Palmerston community newspaper, for several years during the 1980s.
Clinic Administrator, Danila Dilba Aboriginal Medical Service, circa the 1990s.
Awards/recognition include:
Centenary Medal, 2001.
Dawn’s involvement with her community after Cyclone Tracey hit Darwin in 1975. She told J-Wire: “I originally came from Adelaide and spent some time in Alice Springs before settling in Darwin in 1960.
The Jewish community is very small here but we certainly know who each other is.
My proudest achievement remains the introduction of the Aboriginal Interpretation service….I am most happy and most proud to receive this award”.
Executive Director of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry Peter Wertheim told J-Wire: “As far as we are aware, this is the first time a member of the Northern Territory community has won an Australia Day or Queen’s Birthday award.”
