Nominations are now open for the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards – submit a nomination for individuals or groups who have excelled in one or more of the Award categories.
For inspiration, these are the 2025 National NAIDOC Award finalists. These finalists exemplify the spirit of NAIDOC, which is a week-long celebration of Blak excellence across the Country.
National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award Category
Michael Long - Winner
National NAIDOC Person Award Category
Bianca Brackenridge
Dr. Daniel Hunt - Winner
Dr. Hannah McGlade
National NAIDOC Female Elder Award Category
Aunty Ellen Trevorrow
Aunty Rosalie Kickett - Winner
Professor Eleanor Bourke
National NAIDOC Male Elder Award Category
Uncle Charles (Chicka) Madden
Uncle Harry Phillip Hall - Winner
National NAIDOC Sportsperson Award Category
Danielle Ponter - Winner
Kirrily Phillips
Nat Heath
National NAIDOC Youth Award Category
Anika Gosling - Winner
Latishamarie Francis
Trevor Farrell
National NAIDOC Creative Talent Award Category
Christine Anu - Winner
Jarnda Councillor-Barns
Natasha Wanganeen
National NAIDOC Caring for Country and Culture Award Category
Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council Aboriginal Corporation (MMEIC)
Wadjemup Project Steering Group - Winner
Whadjuk Ballardong Elder Uncle Patrick Egan
National NAIDOC Education Award Category
Jajoo Warrngara: Education Team
Professor Braden Hill
Professor Eddie Cubillo - Winner
National NAIDOC Innovation Award Category
Blak Brews - Winner
Common Threads
Culture is Life