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ASLIA Interpreter of the Year Awards

ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Award

Information about the ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards
History of the ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards
2012 ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards Information
Categories for Nomination
2012 ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards Guidelines and Checklist
Past Recipients

History of the ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards

The St Jerome Patron Saint of Translators and Interpreters Auslan Interpreter Awards were an initiative of the WA Deaf Society - Deaf Interpreting Service - in 2005. In 2006, ASLIA accepted responsibility for the coordination of the Awards in an effort to create a National Award system, and in recognition that the practitioner body should be responsible for an Awards system, rather than a service provider or other major stakeholder. The aim is for each ASLIA branch to organise state/region Auslan Interpreter Awards, before state/region winners compete for the title of ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year, to be announced at the annual ASLIA National Conference.

The national award of Auslan Interpreter of the Year gives recognition of the exemplary work and contributions made by a sign language interpreter during the past calendar year. 2007 marked the first year of the award program on a national scale, and ASLIA was delighted to have the opportunity to recognise and reward the outstanding achievements and contributions of sign language interpreters. Interpreters are often so much more than just the people who facilitate communication between parties who do not share the same language – they are often passionate, committed, professional people who are a source of inspiration and support within our important profession.

Auslan/English interpreters are often an unsung group of dedicated professionals who provide communication access for clients with whom they work. The work, professional responsibilities and roles of Auslan/English interpreters are frequently misunderstood, with work environments at times being demanding and challenging.

The ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards provide an opportunity for ASLIA and the wider community to publicly recognise and pay tribute to the professional and dedicated interpreters in our community.

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ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards Information

State/region based ceremonies are hosted by local ASLIA branches. Each state/region should host their Auslan Interpreter Awards ceremonies prior to the ASLIA National Conference – the period the nomination covers should be the calendar year prior to the Conference. A convenient arrangement may be to arrange for the Awards to be held in conjunction with your state/region branch Annual General Meeting each year.

Important dates to note for the national awards are as follows:-

State/region based nominations must cover the period 1 January – 31 December of the previous year (e.g., awards conferred in 2013 will be selected from nominations of interpreters working 1 January to 31 December 2012. Information supplied in nomination forms should address the 2012 calendar year only). This period is referred to as the “eligibility period”.
Completion of state/region based ceremonies is required by 30 June of the award year.
Notification of state/region based winner of “Interpreter of the Year” for the state/region must be advised to ASLIA by 1 July of the award year.

The national award winners for the year will be announced at the ASLIA National Conference.

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Categories for Nomination

There are six categories for the ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards, which are outlined below[1]. However, the categories eligible for the state Interpreter of the Year are comprised only of the first four awards. Individuals (interpreter colleagues, Deaf people, employers etc.) and organisations are invited to nominate an Auslan/English interpreter and/or an organisation to be recognised in the following awards:

Individual: Paraprofessional Interpreter

This award is dedicated to the interpreter accredited at NAATI Paraprofessional interpreter level who has made a significant contribution to the profession of interpreting.

Individual: Professional Interpreter

This award is dedicated to the interpreter accredited at NAATI Professional Interpreter level who has made a significant contribution to the profession of interpreting.

Individual: Deaf Relay Interpreter

This award is dedicated to the Deaf Relay Interpreter who has made a significant contribution to the profession of relay interpreting.

Individual: Interpreter Advocate

This award is dedicated to the interpreter with NAATI accreditation who has made a significant contribution to the profession of interpreting through actively promoting and enhancing the work of interpreters.

Organisation Award

This award is dedicated to the business or organisation that has systematically provided interpreters for clients and/or employees; or has consistently supported the needs and interests of interpreters.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is dedicated to the interpreter accredited at NAATI Professional Interpreter level who has made a lifelong, significant commitment and contribution to the profession of interpreting and the Deaf community. A nominee must have been working in the field for a minimum of 15 years.

[1]Please note that states may add their own additional state based categories of awards if so inclined (e.g., regional interpreter; educational interpreter; deafblind interpreter; but only the six categories noted above are official ASLIA categories.)

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2012 ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards Guidelines and Checklist

Click here to download

Click here to download the Checklist for the 2012 ASLIA National Auslan Interpreter of the Year Awards

The past recipients are:

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