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26th Ricci Marks Awards

0:02 It's been great sitting with

0:04 all the other nominees and with the Marks family as well.

0:08 I couldn't stop shaking, but also to be recognised

0:12 through that award and through the work I do, is really good and really exciting.

0:16 It's been a really deadly night.

0:17 It's very humbling to be recognised, among other young First Nations people

0:21 who are doing amazing things across Victoria.

0:23 Very honoured and humbled to receive the award and be here tonight with everyone.

0:29 The final recipient of the Ricci Marks

0:31 Award for 2025 is Tanisha Lovett. She was not letting go,

0:36 and I was trying not to make eye contact because I could see the tears come.

0:38 Anita Marks is actually my nan

0:40 and Ricci is actually my uncle.

0:43 So I have attended these awards nights before,

0:45 and I just never thought this would be something I'd be receiving.

0:49 I had watched cousins been nominated for this award and cousins win this award.

0:54 And I've come to this award as a dancer, as a performer, but never a nominee.

0:59 That was surreal.

1:01 It's so awesome to see

1:03 so many good young mob sort of striving for,

1:06 you know, whatever it is that they're doing back home or in their community.

1:09 Always happy to see young blak excellence.

1:12 People that are achieving so much in their communities

1:14 and their work definitely doesn't go unnoticed.

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