Indigenous Governance Awards 2026: Finalists announced
18/06/2026
First Nations-led organisations and initiatives from across Australia have been recognised for their excellence in governance.
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First Nations-led organisations and initiatives from across Australia have been recognised for their excellence in governance.
Kenny Bedford Co-Chair Kenny is a Traditional Owner of the Meuram Tribe of Erub (Darnley Island) Torres Strait. He has served his community and region as the Torres Strait Regional
Reconciliation Australia and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute are proud to launch the Indigenous Governance Awards 2026.
Read all about the winners and finalists from the Indigenous Governance Awards 2024. The awards are held every two years and celebrate the strength, innovation and governance capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across Australia.
Reconciliation Australia, the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute, and the BHP Foundation proudly announce the winners of the Indigenous Governance Awards 2024.
The Indigenous Governance Awards share the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations from around Australia.
Applications and nominations for the Indigenous Governance Awards 2024 close at the end of March 2024. The awards support good governance and self-determination.
The Indigenous Governance Awards share the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations from around Australia.
Check out the stories of the winners and finalists from the Indigenous Governance Awards 2014.
Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.
Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.
Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.
Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.
Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.
Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer
Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.
