WHAT ARE THE DOROTHIES?
The Dorothies are Tasmania’s premier award for LGBTIQA+ inclusivity.
The awards were named after the Rev Dorothy McRae-McMahon who grew up on Tasmania's west coast and went on to become a leading figure in the Uniting Church and one of Australia's most respected lesbians. The name also echoes the old term "Friend of Dorothy", used by gay people to refer to each other and taken from the Wizard of Oz.
Each year a theme or sector is nominated to be the focus of the awards.
The awards showcase best practice and inspire organisations and service deliverers to excel in providing a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians.
The 2025 Dorothies theme is
'Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusion in The Workplace’
NOMINATIONS WILL OPEN SOON.
2024 DOROTHIES
2024 DOROTHIES
Working It Out held its annual International Day of Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) event in Hobart this year.
IDAHOBIT is an annual reminder of the impact that discrimination, isolation and abuse still has on the lives of LGBTIQA+ people both locally and globally. Discrimination, isolation and abuse lead to much poorer health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians than the broader population, with fewer people accessing necessary services.
At the other end of the spectrum, the event also celebrates the work that is happening in our community to make this a better world for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians via ‘the Dorothies’ Awards.
The theme for this year’s awards was Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusion in Government Agencies and Departments
The Honourable Roger Jaensch, spoke about the importance of inclusion and acceptance and acknowledging the work being done across government agencies and departments over many years.
The winners were:
The Tasmania Department of Health. The award acknowledged the role the Department of Health has played over a considerable period of time supporting health services to the LGBTIQA+ communities, and the work undertaken by the Department in developing resources and strategies to embed safety and cultural change across its services
Libraries Tasmania for the Encouragement Award. The award recognised the progress Libraries Tasmania has made in ensuring LGBTIQA+ people are visible both inside and outside their service, and for ensuring Libraries are safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians.
The category of next year’s awards: 'Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusion in The Workplace’
Nomination form is coming soon!
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| YEAR | THEME | WINNER/S |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice in Government Agencies/Departments | Department of Health Libraries Tasmania- The Encouragement Award |
| 2023 | Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice in Local Government | City of Hobart for the Pioneering Change category. Central Coast Council for the Most Inspiring category. Kingborough Council for the Best Practice award. |
| 2022 | Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusivity in Sport | LGBTIQA+ Sporting Organisations: Hobart Out Tennis, Queer Sporting Alliance (Joint Winners) Mainstream Organisations: Convict City Rollers (Winner) Arrogone Archers (Encouragement Award) |
| 2021 | Inclusive practices in Educational institutions | Tertiary: University of Tasmania Ally Network College: Hellyer College High School: Burnie High School and Kingston High School Primary: Taroona High School Encouragement Awards: UTAS Pride Society and Huonville High School HPE team |
| 2019 | Inclusive practice in emergency services | Tasmania Police |
| 2018 | Inclusive practice in faith-based organisations | Baptcare Tasmania |
| 2017 | Inclusive practice in mental health services | WellWays Tasmania |
| 2016 | Inclusive practice in Aged Care providers | Uniting AgeWell, Glenview Community Services |
| 2015 | Inclusive practice in medical services and practices | Sexual Health Services, Dr Geoffrey Bradshaw |
| 2014 | Inclusive practice in school communities | Ulverstone Hight School, Gagebrook Primary School, Rose Bay High School and Don College |
| 2013 | Inclusive practice in the workplace | Women’s Health Centre (small); Glenview Community Services (large) |