Nominations Open for Ben Bodna Award

Above: Ben Bodna. Photo courtsey VCOSS

Peak welfare body, VCOSS, has opened nominations for the 2012 Ben Bodna Award for those working in the fields of social justice, community, disability or bio-ethics.

The Ben Bodna Award will provide grants of up to $10,000 a year for individuals seeking to advance knowledge and practice in these welfare areas.

The Ben Bodna Award has been established in the memory of Victoria’s first Public Advocate Ben Bodna. It will provide grants of up to $10,000 a year for individuals to advance knowledge and practice in the fields of social justice, community, disability or bio-ethics.

This annual Award is made in the memory of Ben Bodna (1935 – 2008), a passionate supporter of the rights of people who were disadvantaged.

“Through his work as a Probation Officer, Superintendent of a Youth Training Centre, head of the State Welfare Department, Victoria’s first Public Advocate, and supporter of many community organisations, Bodna’s commitment to addressing issues of disadvantage never wavered,” VCOSS says.

“He believed in the capacity of well supported communities to redress issues of social exclusion. He championed a wide range of causes relating to his interests in community and disadvantage.”

Among Bodna’s many community involvements, he was President of UNICEF Australia; a member of the Refugee Review Tribunal; joint Chair of the People Together Project; a Community Visitor at Kew Cottages; President of the Victorian Brain Injury Recovery Association; and Chairperson of Foundation Boroondara.

Applications are to be submitted electronically by May 31, 2012 to Claire Bauska at the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) – E: claire.bauska@vcoss.org.au

For more information, please contact Claire Bauska on T:0392351007 or E:Claire.Bauska@vcoss.org.au or visit the website.