NAIDOC Committee announces National NAIDOC Award winners

Cairns - 8 July 2006

National NAIDOC Committee Chairperson, Aden Ridgeway, tonight released the names of the nine National NAIDOC Award winners for 2006.

The Award winners were honoured last night at the star-studded National NAIDOC Award Ceremony and Ball in Cairns, which featured entertainers Troy Cassar-Daley Shakaya, Yothu Yindi, Seaman Dan and a host of other entertainers and celebrities.

At the ceremony, hosted on behalf of the Committee by prominent actor, writer and director Leah Purcell, the nine winners were presented with their awards in the following categories:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Elizabeth Morgan Hoffman (Vic)
• Elder of the Year (Female): Judy Taton (Qld)
• Elder of the year (Male): Vince Ross (Vic)
• Person of the Year: Stephen Hagan (Qld)
• Youth of the Year: Jo-Anne D’Cress (WA)
• Scholar of the Year: Dr Chris Sarra (Qld)
• Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Rogers (SA)
• Sportsperson of the Year: Patrick Mills (ACT)
• Artist of the Year: Warren H Williams (NT)

Aden Ridgeway said the committee had found it a difficult task to select the winners from the many nominations received this year.

“I was honoured to be one of the committee members who all had the opportunity to learn about the many inspiring achievements of Indigenous people all around the country, and the many and varied contributions which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to their own communities and the wider Australian community,” he said. “It was very difficult for the committee to select the Award winners. The standard of nominations was very high, and selecting just one person was not easy,” he said.

“The commmunity support for NAIDOC across the country has been overwhelming. The many activities and events throughout the week show that we have much to celebrate and to be proud of,” he said.

“Once again I would like to thank the Australian Government for its generous support for the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony and for the many community celebrations of NAIDOC all over the country. I especially thank Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough for joining with us tonight and presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award,” he said.

Profiles of all 2006 NAIDOC Award winners are attached, and more information on NAIDOC is available at: www.naidoc.org.au

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