Indigenous leader is Australia's hero

Indigenous leader Shane Phillips was named Australia's 2013 Local Hero for his community leadership. Source: AAP

INDIGENOUS leader Shane Phillips has been named Australia's 2013 Local Hero for his community leadership, particularly in his local area of Redfern in inner-Sydney.

The 48-year-old father of three, who is a respected member of the Redfern community, received the honour at the Australian of the Year awards ceremony in Canberra on Friday.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Phillips said he would share the award with his community.

"It's a community at work," he said.

"We're not being reactive, we're being proactive.

"This goes out to a lot of kids, and our elders, who have written themselves off or have been written off.

"Anything's possible! You are the answer."

Mr Phillips is regarded as a man of integrity and a community voice on issues such as juvenile justice and Aboriginal deaths in custody.

He still lives in Redfern, where he was born and raised.

Mr Phillips is chief executive of the Tribal Warriors Association, a non profit organisation that offers job training and emergency relief for struggling families.

He also runs a mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth based on guiding by example and which helps young people form good habits and acknowledges achievements.

Improvements in relationship between the Redfern local community and local police in Redfern has also been credited to Mr Phillips.

The number of robberies by local youth in Redfern has dropped by 80 per cent since 2009, following the introduction of a program, called Clean Slate Without Prejudice, run in collaboration with police.

"It has helped each side under stand and appreciate the other," he said

More than 700 people turned out in the warm weather to watch the award presentations in front of Parliament House.

Others, some flag adorned some waving flags, watched on from the nearby lawns.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the winners had done much to serve and enrich the nation.

Among the official guests were Nova Peris with her children, Brendan Nelson and Adam Spencer.

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