The 2016 NT Human Rights Awards The Fitzgeralds, was a showcase of Human Rights excellence in Darwin last night.

The work of many individuals and organisations across the Territory and Australia for that matter often go unacknowledged. But last night the extensive and excellent work to better human rights in the Territory were celebrated.

Amongst the winners was family violence campaigner Charlie King for his outstanding work and leadership on the No More campaign. Mr King works across the Territory with sporting clubs, councils and communities, encouraging them to participate in programmes to reduce family violence. The impact of MR Kings work has, and will continue to have, a lasting local and national impact.

The work of Jared Sharp, a lawyer and advocate for the human rights of young Indigenous people was also recognised last night. Mr Sharp was instrumental in highlighting the day-to-day lives of incarcerated children in the Territories juvenile detention facilities in the 4 Corners Program earlier this year.

The Alice Springs based program, Suicide Story facilitated by Mental Health Association Central Australia (MHACA) received the Award for Social Change. This successful suicide prevention program has been designed, managed and implemented by Aboriginal people.

All of the organisations and individuals nominated for awards are to be congratulated. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate the important work of these advocates because it is the grassroots work that will often lead to bigger scale change.