The Aunty Dot Peters Award

Apply now

The following documents will need to be attached to your application:

Letter of support

This letter must come from an Aboriginal community representative outside of your immediate family to show commitment to community.

Letter of endorsement

This letter must come from your school principal, year level coordinator or teacher to describe how the Award would support your education.

Verification of the your enrolment

A statement from your school confirming your enrolment.

School reports

You must provide a copy of your most recent school report, for either term 1 or term 2 of the year in which you apply.

The Aunty Dot Peters Award is open to students who:

• are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• have completed Year 8 at a Victorian school in 2020
• plan to complete Year 9 in 2021 and Year 10 in 2022 at a Victorian school

All applications will be assessed by the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee. The Committee will provide final recommendations to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, who will determine the Award recipients.

'It has been a longstanding dream of mine to get this Award up and running. As a former educator, I am proud to see an initiative like this that young Aboriginal people can strive for. I want all Aboriginal people to be true to themselves and to remember it’s important for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to come together.'

- Aunty Dot Peters AM

The Aunty Dot Peters Award honours the work of Aunty Dorothy (Dot) Peters AM.

Aunty Dot (born 1930, died 2019) was a much-loved community member, educator and former Chairperson of the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee.

Aunty Dot helped to progress reconciliation in Victoria for many years. She worked within the community to build understanding and respect between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Aunty Dot's father, Vincent, died a prisoner of war on the Thai Burma railway. Aunty Dot always insisted that her father's memory be honoured. Aunty Dot supported formal recognition of Aboriginal men and women in the Australian Armed forces. This led to the establishment of the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee. Her efforts led to the annual 31 May Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Aunty Dot taught the ancient basket coiling techniques her grandmother taught her. She has taught at schools, festivals, community events and to overseas delegations. In 2002, she won the prestigious Red Ochre Award for her work in preserving and teaching the art of basket coiling in Victoria.