NAMBUCCA Valley Councillor Ricky Buchanan is a 2022 recipient of the Pat Dixon Scholarship, annually awarded to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander councillor or member of council staff to undertake further study, professional development or research.

The scholarships were established in honour of Pat Dixon, a Dhanggati woman who became the first Aboriginal woman elected to local government in Australia.

Cr Ricky Buchanan will use his Scholarship funding to undertake further study to complete a Certificate in Training and Assessment.

“I’d like to be able to provide training and assessment for certificates in language, horticulture, land management and agriculture, using language across each of those courses,” Ricky told News Of The Area.

“I want to teach all kinds of sustainable practices as well as the cultural side of things looking at bush foods and bush medicines and provide the trainees with a certificate of competence that is recognised across Australia,” he said.

Mayor of Nambucca Valley Council, Councillor Rhonda Hoban OAM, is very proud to have one of the LGA’s Indigenous councillors awarded this prestigious scholarship.

“Ricky has previously undertaken studies in land conservation management, horticulture and Gumbaynggirr language and by completing the Training and Assessment Course he will be able to train other young Indigenous people to develop their skills in these areas,” she said.

“Ricky has a deep desire to help others and by conducting classes and training people he can give them the confidence to access employment opportunities and reduce economic hardship and disadvantage within the community,” Cr Hoban concluded.

The scholarships are administered by Local Government NSW.

Recipients of the Scholarships are determined by four trustees: Cr Darriea Turley President of Local Government NSW; Local Government Aboriginal Network President Cr Dominic Wy Kanak; Cr Dave Carter of Lachlan Shire Council; and Mr Warren Roberts, a family representative of the late Pat Dixon.

By Andrea FERRARI