Black excellence and community leadership will be honoured at the 2024 National NAIDOC Week Awards in Tarndanya (Adelaide) on Kaurna Yerta (Country) this weekend.
Tonight’s awards will celebrate First Nations excellence with 28 finalists in the running for 10 awards.
Each category recognises trailblazers across industries and the contributions they’re making to improve the lives of their communities.
Aunty Dulcie Flower AM will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Aunty Muriel Bamblett, Bianca Brackenridge and Georgie Weir are in the running for the coveted NAIDOC Person of the Year award.
A fierce advocate for her community, Aunty Dulcie has been instrumental in improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples.
The awards are the first major gathering of First Nations people since the failed voice referendum last year, with an estimated 2,000 people in the crowd.
This year’s NAIDOC theme is: “Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud.”
The theme changes every year, decided by the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) whose co-chair is Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman Aunty (Dr) Lynette Riley.
Aunty Riley said the people who have been nominated and recognised as finalists “epitomise the ongoing fight for rights and demonstrate our ongoing excellence”.
“When I think back to the first calls to arms by our old people to challenge the Centennial Celebrations and to let the world know we have survived and held our ground for sovereignty in this Country, I know they knew the struggles were just starting and would continue for many generations,” she said.
“I am in awe of all our people’s strengths, perseverance and congratulate them all for ‘Keeping the Fires Burning'”.
Stream the 2024 NAIDOC Awards Ceremony from 7.30pm, July 6 on ABC iview and ABC TV.
We will update this list as the evening goes on with winners in bold:
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Creative Talent Award Finalists
- Colleen Tighe Johnson
- Graham Akhurst
- WINNER: Naarah
Female Elder Award Finalist
- Aunty Flo Watson
- Aunty Glendra Stubbs
- WINNER: Aunty Millie Ingram
Person Award Finalists
- Muriel Bamblett
- Georgia Weir
- Bianca Brackenridge
Male Elder Award Finalists
- Uncle Dr John Binda Reid
- Mr Kim Collard — Balladong/Wadjuk Elder of the Noongar Nation
- Uncle Klynton Wanganeen
Youth Award Finalists
- Dante Rodrigues
- Piper Stewart
- Ieyesha Roberts
Innovation Award Finalists
- Tui Nolan
- Narelle Henry
- Common Ground First Nations
Education Award Finalists
- Shelley Ware
- Dr Stacey Kim Coates
- Warlpiri Education and Training Trust
Sportsperson Award Finalists
- Alex Winwood
- Bailey O’Neil
- Natasha Leslie
Caring for Country and Culture Award Finalists
- Dr Theoni (Tia) Whyman
- Aunty Fran Bodkin
- Alick Tipoti
Posted , updated