MEDIA RELEASE: Tuesday, 16th October, 2007

Sue Coleman-Haseldine receives the NRM Premier’s Award for Indigenous Leadership

— West Coast Winner —

Kokatha Mula Woman Sue Coleman-Haseldine has been awarded the inaugural 2007 Premier’s Award for excellence in Indigenous leadership in the Natural Resource Management Sphere.

Sue, or “Aunty Sue,” as she is respectfully known, was nominated for her extensive work as an activist, cultural teacher and environmental defender of her homelands in outback Ceduna. This area covers Yumbarra and Pureba Conservation Parks and the Yellabinna Regional Reserve, part of the largest stretch of stunted mallee woodlands in the world.

“I am so grateful to receive this award, and I am so grateful for the teachings I’ve received from my elders Pearl Coleman-Seidel (deceased) and Marcina Coleman-Richards, the young ones that thought I was worth it and all the support along the way. We will keep going, keep fighting for the protection of our peoples’ land and culture” said Aunty Sue after receiving the award in Glenelg, 800 km from home.

For many years her work has highlighted the need for protection in the Ceduna region, that not only holds high environmental value, but extreme cultural significance. She receives this award at a time when Kokatha Mula country is in jeopardy from South Australia’s mineral exploration boom.

“We love and respect our country and we do not trust that possible mining projects in the future will benefit our people or sustain our heritage, that is why Aunty Sue does the work she does, and we are lucky to have her in the community taking positive action for our environment,” said nephew Simon Coleman-Prideaux, who attended the award ceremony with other family members.