The Ricci Marks Award recognises the individual achievements and aspirations of young (16-25) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in training, education, arts, sports, culture and community leadership.
The Ricci Marks Award originated in 1997 as the Aboriginal Young Achievers Award. In 2004, the Award was named in honour of Ricci Marks. Ricci Marks was a proud Wotjobaluk man from Halls Gap and Aboriginal Young Achievers Award recipient in 2000 who, in his short life, made an outstanding contribution to his community.
MC Tahlia Biggs
Tahlia is a past recipient of the Ricci Marks Awards. She was born and raised on Wiradjuri and Duduroa Country in Albury Wodonga. Tahlia is a proud Barkindji descendant with family ties to Ngyiampaa Wangapuwan. She has dedicated her career to empowering the lives of First Nation young people. Beginning her career working for the Richmond Football Club in their Korin Gamadji Institute’s (KGI) REAL Program as a program coordinator. Tahlia has been in advisory committees for organisations such as The Commission for Children and Young People and The Office for Women Victoria. Tahlia currently works as a freelance creative and performer as well as Programs Coordinator at The Y Northern Territory, delivering grassroots programs to young people in the Northern Territory.
Elder - Aunty Diane Kerr
Aunty Diane Kerr is a respected Elder of the Wurundjeri Tribe, and a Mother, Grandmother and Aunty to many across several generations. Born in Melbourne in 1954, Aunty Di identifies with the Ganun Willam Balak clan of the Wurundjeri and save for one year where she resided in Canberra has always lived on Wurundjeri country. As a young girl she often spent holidays visiting Maroondah Dam and remembers when it was beautiful countryside with flowing creeks and open grassland. Aunty Di is the matriarch of her family and takes pride in being a mother, stepmother, foster mother, aunty and a grandmother. But her home and heart are open to many.
Minister for Treaty and First Peoples - Gabrielle Williams MP
Gabrielle Williams has proudly represented her local community as the Member for Dandenong in the Victorian Parliament since 2014. She currently serves as Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Mental Health, and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples in the Victorian Government. Gabrielle is a passionate advocate for equity and social inclusion and is proud to be a member of Victoria’s first ever gender-equal cabinet. She is committed to driving an important reform agenda to improve outcomes for all.
2023 Nominees
Winners of the Ricci Marks Awards 2023.
Yemurraki Egan Acceptance Speech
Jayde Couzens Acceptance Speech
Winners of the Rising Star Recipients 2023
Elijah Aaron Brown Acceptance Speech
Cobain Tipiloura Acceptance Speech
Isaac Muller Acceptance Speech