Stella Giles Award Winner 2012

Joanna Randell, coordinator of the Madjitil Moorna choir, was awarded the prestigious 2012 Stella Giles Award for Excellence by Soroptimist International of Western Australia.

Joanna will use the award funds ($3000)  to create a packaged resource to promote singing and a love of words in the children and families of Halls Creek, WA.

SIWA president Naomi Glasson presented the award at a special lunch where Joanna expressed her gratitude in receiving the honour.

Joanna said the final package will be available to Halls Creek families and be on sale at the Halls Creek Visitors’ Centre. The children co-wrote and have created illustrations for the book, and have also recorded the song and starred in the filming of its progress.

Joanna said her interest in singing has been life-long – at home, school, university, schools again and now in the wider community.

“Singing solo is wonderful for all the joy of self-expression and wellbeing that it brings. Community singing brings so much more,” she said.

Madiitil Moorna – Singers of Aboriginal Songs is now in its seventh year.

“It has been an extraordinary journey – musically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thousands of people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, have been touched by the simple concept of singing for better understanding between all of us as Australians.”

The Stella Giles Award for Excellence honours the memory of Stella Giles who worked tirelessly in the position of region extension officer.

Click here to view photos from the Stella Giles Award presentation.