Dennis Eggington, CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Ltd (ALSWA) has been acknowledged with the 2021 NAIDOC Perth ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Award in recognition of his commitment to striving for justice in a year that celebrates his 25th anniversary at the helm of ALSWA.
Announced at the NAIDOC Perth Awards ceremony at Crown on Friday night, Dennis is delighted to have received the Award as a joint recipient, alongside Millie Penny. “As a Nyungar, it’s very special to be acknowledged on Nyungar Boodja (Country) and I am extremely proud to have received this award for my work over the decades. There are so many deserving people within our community who are also committed to advancing the rights of our people, so I’m really humbled and very, very proud”.
Dennis commenced in the ALSWA CEO role in 1996 and has been a tireless campaigner and advocate for justice and the human rights of First Nations Peoples for many years. ALSWA works with and for some of WA’s most disadvantaged peoples and the work is often extremely challenging, confronting and complex, requiring extensive Cultural knowledge, understanding and sensitivity, all skills held by Dennis as he works respectfully with all people to ensure access to justice.
Managing approximately 160 ALSWA staff across the state, Dennis has maintained a strong voice for our people at all levels and ensured that ALSWA continues to expand to meet the growing needs of those requiring legal support and representation. Under his leadership, ALSWA has grown substantially and has been formerly acknowledged with a National Human Rights Award.
Highly respected as a leader and role model throughout the country Dennis is a proud husband, father and grandfather, whose exceptional leadership qualities and experience have influenced policy in many areas including education, health, language, media, housing, accommodation, arts, culture and nation building. With extensive knowledge about national priorities and policies relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, his advocacy, negotiation and lobbying experience, high level decision making and community and stakeholder engagement, is coupled with a strong media profile across the nation.
ALSWA congratulates Dennis Eggington for his contributions and dedication to providing such a strong voice and a Culturally safe and welcoming legal organisation for First Nations Peoples. His efforts continue to shine a light on the ongoing injustice faced by our people in highlighting the social disadvantage, racism, inequality and trauma faced by so many and he is indeed a worthy recipient of the 2021 NAIDOC Perth ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Award.
*Photo Courtesy of NAIDOC Perth.
