Dubbo Men's group founder gets just reward for crime fightSydney Morning Herald17 October, 2003By Steve Hodder
There's one thing about Ray Jackson that most people recognise; he is committed to his community. That commitment was officially recognised at the 2003 Law and Justice Awards in Sydney this week where attorney general Bob Debus presented Mr Jackson with the Aboriginal Justice Award. In a field of 10 nominees including Sydney Legal Service officer Robert Carroll and NSW magistrate Pat O'Shane, Mr Jackson's companion Willie Middleton was stunned when they announced the winner.
"I couldn't believe it when they called out Ray's name," Mr Middleton said. "It is such a huge win for Dubbo, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up."
A member of the Gordon Centre Men's Group, established by Mr Jackson this year, Mr Middleton said the award is proof the men's group was having an impact on the community.
"Ray was nominated for the award by the Attorney General's Department crime prevention division officer Dean Hart for the results the men's group has achieved," he said.
While chuffed to have received the award in his name, Mr Jackson was quick to acknowledge the role of the men's group and its importance to the community.
"We have only been together since May but already we have achieved a significant reduction in crime in Dubbo and initiated employment opportunities for a number of young people," he said.
The work of the men's group has received high praise from local area police commander Ian Lovell who applauded their efforts.
"It is the first time I have seen men in a community take the initiative to work with young people at risk and their families to correct their behaviour," Mr Lovell said.
"It is a very courageous move on their part and they are to be congratulated."endsMedia articles are posted for the purpose of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under "fair use" provisions and may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owners, except for "fair use."
