At the end of every NAIDOC Week, the National NAIDOC Awards are announced at a ceremony and ball event in the national focus city.
2021
Pat O’Shane AM, is a proud Kuku Yalanji woman from Mossman
Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
Pat O'Shane AM
Keri Tamwoy is of the Putch people, Wik Mungkan, in the
Person of the Year 2021
Keri Tamwoy
Christobel Swan is a proud Pertame, Southern Arrernte woman
Female Elder of the Year 2021
Christobel Swan
Uncle Ernest Hoolihan was born in the far-north Queensland
Male Elder of the Year 2021
Ernest Hoolihan
The town of Borroloola is located 10 hours south-east of
Caring for Country 2021
Gadrian Hoosan on behalf of the Borroloola Community
Samara Fernandez‐Brown is a proud Warlpiri woman from
Youth of the Year 2021
Samara Fernandez-Brown
Bobbi Lockyer is a Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru
Artist of the Year 2021
Bobbi Lockyer
Sasha Purcell is from the “Whaleboat” family from Mer
Scholar of the Year 2021
Sasha Purcell
Jarron Andy is a Waanyi, Djiru, Kuku Yalanji and Yindinji
Apprentice of the Year 2021
Jarron Andy
CJ McCarthy-Grogan is a Yanyuwa, Garrawa, Kuku-Yalanji man
Sportsperson of the Year 2021
Clarence 'CJ' McCarthy-Grogan
2019
Father, Grandfather, Brother, Actor, Artist, Ceremonial
Lifetime Achievement Award 2019
David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu, AM
Dean Duncan is a champion of diversity, social justice and
Person of the Year 2019
Dean Duncan
Thelma Weston, a descendant of the Meriam people of the
Female Elder of the Year 2019
Thelma Weston
Highly respected Elder of Noongar Boodjar, Uncle Greg
Male Elder of the Year 2019
Greg Little
“Gungoo (Uncle), can you tell and show us where we belong
Caring for Country 2019
Littlewell Working Group
Mi-kaisha Masella is a proud Darumbal Murri and Tongan
Youth of the Year 2019
Mi-kaisha Masella
Elma Kris is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman who grew
Artist of the Year 2019
Elma Gada Kris
Professor Michael McDaniel is a proud member of the Kalari
Scholar of the Year 2019
Professor Michael McDaniel
Honours student Ganur Maynard has completed multiple
Apprentice of the Year 2019
Ganur Maynard
Shantelle Thompson is known in her community as the ‘
Sportsperson of the Year 2019
Shantelle Thompson
2018
Distinguished Alyawarre woman, Patricia Anderson AO, is
Lifetime Achievement Award 2018
Patricia Anderson AO
June Oscar AO has an impressive history of extraordinary
Person of the Year 2018
June Oscar AO
Aunty Lynette Nixon is a Gunggari woman who has lived all
Female Elder of the Year 2018
Aunty Lynette Nixon
Proud Kamilaroi man, Russell Charles Taylor AM, has been a
Male Elder of the Year 2018
Russell Charles Taylor AM
From cattle farmers to eco-tourism, the Mungalla Aboriginal
Caring for Country 2018
Mungalla Aboriginal Business Corporation
Tamina Pitt, a Wuthathi and Meriam woman, is a self-
Youth of the Year 2018
Tamina Pitt
Proud Yorta Yorta man, Adam Briggs or ‘Briggs’ is a
Artist of the Year 2018
Adam Briggs
Professor Michelle Trudgett, from the Wiradjuri Nation in
Scholar of the Year 2018
Professor Michelle Trudgett
Folau Talbot, from Boggabilla, NSW, is a qualified dental
Apprentice of the Year 2018
Folau Talbot
Jack Peris is a proud descendant of the Iwatja people of
Sportsperson of the Year 2018
Jack Peris
2017
Dianne Ryder is a proud Noongar woman from Western
Lifetime Achievement Award 2017
Dianne Ryder
Patrick Mills is a Muralag man from the Torres Strait,
Person of the Year 2017
Patrick Mills
Faye Carr is a Yuggera Elder from Ipswich in Queensland,
Female Elder of the Year 2017
Faye Carr
Ollie George is a Badimaya Elder from Western Australia who
Male Elder of the Year 2017
Alex ‘Ollie’ George
The Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council Aboriginal
Caring for Country 2017
Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council
Latia Schefe is a young Yuggera woman from Brisbane,
Youth of the Year 2017
Latia Schefe
Elverina Johnson is a highly respected Gurugulu and
Artist of the Year 2017
Elverina Johnson
Dr James Charles is a Kaurna man from Adelaide, South
Scholar of the Year 2017
Dr James Charles
Sharee Yamashita is a young Thanikwithi woman from Thursday
Apprentice of the Year 2017
Sharee Yamashita
Amanda Reid is Gurinagi & Wamba Wamba women from Sydney
Sportsperson of the Year 2017
Amanda Reid
2016
Stephen Page is a descendant of the Nunukul people and the
Lifetime Achievement Award 2016
Stephen Page
Professor Chris Sarra, a Goreng Goreng man from Bundaberg,
Person of the Year 2016
Professor Chris Sarra
Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik is a proud Djaru Elder from
Female Elder of the Year 2016
MaryAnn Bin-Sallik
Dr Robert Francis Isaacs is a Billumum Noongar man, a
Male Elder of the Year 2016
Dr Robert Francis Isaacs OAM JP PhD (HON)
The Manymak Energy Efficiency Project was successfully
Caring for Country 2016
Manymak Energy Efficiency Project
Elijah Douglas is a Ganggalidda, Garrwa, Waanyi and Gudanji
Youth of the Year 2016
Elijah Douglas
Award accepted by Jasmine Yunupingu on behalf of Artist of
Artist of the Year 2016
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Layneisha Sgro is a proud Nyiyaparli, Bardi and Jabbir
Scholar of the Year 2016
Layneisha Sgro
Montana Ah-Won is an 18 year old Miriwoong Gajeroong woman
Apprentice of the Year 2016
Montana Ah-Won
Jade North of the Biripi Mob from New South Wales is a two-
Sportsperson of the Year 2016
Jade North
2015
Tauto Sansbury is a Narungga man from the Yorke Peninsula
Lifetime Achievement Award 2015
Tauto Sansbury
Rosalie Kunoth Monks is an Arrernte Anmatjere woman from
Person of the Year 2015
Rosalie Kunoth Monks
Veronica Perrule Dobson is an Eastern Arrernte Elder, often
Female Elder of the Year 2015
Veronica Perrule Dobson
Graham Taylor is a respected Amangu Yamaji Elder from
Male Elder of the Year 2015
Graham Taylor
The Warddeken Caring for Country Project uses the best of
Caring for Country 2015
Warddeken Caring for Country Project
Chris Tamwoy has ties to Badu, Boigu and Darnley Islands in
Youth of the Year 2015
Chris Tamwoy
Daren Dunn is a Gamilaroi man from New South Wales and
Artist of the Year 2015
Daren Dunn
Michelle Deshong is a proud Kuka Yulanji woman from
Scholar of the Year 2015
Michelle Deshong
Ashley Farrall is a 22 year old Arrernte Man from Alice
Apprentice of the Year 2015
Ashley Farrall
Ryan Morich is a Noongar man from Western Australian,
Sportsperson of the Year 2015
Ryan Morich
2014
A member of the Wiradjuri Nation, Linda Burney is a natural
Lifetime Achievement Award 2014
Linda Burney
Gracelyn Smallwood grew up in Townsville in Queensland
Person of the Year 2014
Gracelyn Smallwood
Patricia O’Connor is the inspirational woman behind the
Female Elder of the Year 2014
Patricia O'Connor
Richard Archibald is a Gumbaynggirr man born in 1947
Male Elder of the Year 2014
Richard Archibald
the Wunambal Gaambera people are ensuring are ensuring a
Caring for Country 2014
The Uunguu Healthy Country Project
Chern’ee Sutton has accomplished more than people many
Youth of the Year 2014
Chern'ee Sutton
Amelia Telford is a Bundjalung woman originating from
Youth of the Year 2014
Amelia Telford
Shellie Morris is a strong contributor to the music
Artist of the Year 2014
Shellie Morris
her family descend from the Moa and Badu Islands, and the
Scholar of the Year 2014
Donisha Duff
This experience and the opportunity for employment has
Apprentice of the Year 2014
Patricia Doolan
Born on Thursday Island and raised in Brisbane, Jesse
Sportsperson of the Year 2014
Jesse Williams
2013
Born at Melville Bay near Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land,
Lifetime Achievement Award 2013
Galarrwuy Yunupingu
Darryl is a Noongar man from the Narrogin area of Western
Person of the Year 2013
Darryl Kickett
Rose Richards is a proud Yalangi and Tagalaga Elder from
Female Elder of the Year 2013
Rose Richards
John Hayden is a respected Noongar elder from Brookton in
Male Elder of the Year 2013
John Hayden
Jimmy Edgar is a Yawuru and Karajarri man from Western
Caring for Country 2013
Jimmy Edgar
Kate Malpass, a Noongar girl from Perth, has been defying
Youth of the Year 2013
Kate Malpass
Starting his career as an actor on Neighbours in the 1980’s
Artist of the Year 2013
Tony Briggs
Dr Mark McMillan is a Wiradjuri man from Trangie in central
Scholar of the Year 2013
Dr Mark McMillan
Danny Bromot is a proud Yolngu man from Nhulunbuy in North
Apprentice of the Year 2013
Danny Bromot
Jonathan Thurston is a rugby league superstar and is a
Sportsperson of the Year 2013
Jonathan Thurston
2012
2011
Lifetime Achievement Award 2011
Ned Cheedy
Terri Janke was born in Cairns in Queensland, of Torres
Person of the Year 2011
Terri Janke
Aunty Carolyn Briggs is a Boonwurrung elder from Victoria
Female Elder of the Year 2011
Carolyn Briggs
Eldridge Mosby is an elder on the Torres Strait Island of
Male Elder of the Year 2011
Eldridge Mosby
The Warru Recovery Team works towards the conservation of
Caring for Country 2011
Warru Recovery Team
Twenty-four-year-old Kiel Williams-Weigel was born and
Youth of the Year 2011
Kiel Williams-Weigel
Robyn Djunginy is a proud Yolngu woman and a respected
Artist of the Year 2011
Robyn Djunginy
Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney is a Nurungga man who grew
Scholar of the Year 2011
Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney
Joshua Toomey overcame personal and educational challenges
Apprentice of the Year 2011
Joshua Toomey
Preston Campbell hails from Tinga in New South Wales and is
Sportsperson of the Year 2011
Preston Campbell
2010
Vince Coulthard has been the Director of South Australia’s
Lifetime Achievement Award 2010
Vince Coulthard
Dennis Eggington has been the Chief Executive Officer of
Person of the Year 2010
Dennis Eggington
Auntie Ali Golding is a grassroots Indigenous leader
Female Elder of the Year 2010
Ali Golding
Ali Drummond is a much-loved and respected elder in the
Male Elder of the Year 2010
Ali Drummond
Uncle Lester Bostock has overcome personal challenges with
Male Elder of the Year 2010
Lester Bostock
The Crazy Ant Management Program, run by Dhimurru
Caring for Country 2010
Crazy Ant Management Program
Queensland Aboriginal woman Jessica Smith is an Indigenous
Youth of the Year 2010
Jessica Smith
Lewis Langton is a visual and performing artist and teacher
Artist of the Year 2010
Lewis Langton
Megan Davis is Director of the Indigenous Law Centre at the
Scholar of the Year 2010
Megan Davis
Lucas Kickett, from Narrogin in Western Australia, is an
Apprentice of the Year 2010
Lucas Kickett
Olympic champion Rohanee Cox is captain of the WNBL team
Sportsperson of the Year 2010
Rohanee Cox
2009
Born in Indulkana in 1932, Lowitja O’Donoghue was separated
Lifetime Achievement Award 2009
Lowitja O'Donoghue
Lawyer and author Larissa Behrendt is a passionate and
Person of the Year 2009
Larissa Behrendt
Doris Eaton is an Elder and respected law woman of the
Female Elder of the Year 2009
Doris Eaton
Elsie Heiss, or Aunty Elsie, is a mother of five and
Female Elder of the Year 2009
Elsie Heiss
Reginald Roy Knox, or Uncle Reg, was born in 1934 at
Male Elder of the Year 2009
Reg Knox
A prominent Elder in the Aboriginal community, Frank H
Male Elder of the Year 2009
Frank Lampard
Gemma Benn is an inspirational young leader who, through
Youth of the Year 2009
Gemma Benn
Wayne Quilliam has been working on the Australian and
Artist of the Year 2009
Wayne Quilliam
Dr Chelsea Bond is an Aboriginal and South Sea Islander
Scholar of the Year 2009
Dr Chelsea Bond
Danny Sebasio started with Ergon Energy as an unskilled
Apprentice of the Year 2009
Danny Sebasio
Born and raised in Darwin, Andrew McLeod must rank as one
Sportsperson of the Year 2009
Andrew McLeod
2001
Person of the Year 2001
Kutcha Edwards
Female Elder of the Year 2001
Alice ‘Mummy’ Clark
Male Elder of the Year 2001
Cec Fisher
Youth of the Year 2001
Vanessa Elliot
Scholar of the Year 2001
Dr Cheryl Kickett-Tucker
Apprentice of the Year 2001
Todd Phillips
Sportsperson of the Year 2001
Warren Lawton
2000
Person of the Year 2000
Anthony Mundine
Female Elder of the Year 2000
Yvonne Agius
Male Elder of the Year 2000
James Rice
Youth of the Year 2000
Vanessa Elliot
Youth of the Year 2000
Marie Dennis
Artist of the Year 2000
Jimmy Wavehill
Scholar of the Year 2000
Marlina Whop
Apprentice of the Year 2000
Alison Gear
Sportsperson of the Year 2000
Troy Murphy
1999
Person of the Year 1999
Bob Randall
Female Elder of the Year 1999
Zona Martin
Male Elder of the Year 1999
Geoff Shaw
Joint winner with Jeremy Geia
Youth of the Year 1999
Samantha Cook
Joint winner with Samantha Cook
Youth of the Year 1999
Jeremy Geia
Artist of the Year 1999
Wenten Rubuntja
Scholar of the Year 1999
Tracey Brand
Apprentice of the Year 1999
Gary Bonney
1998
Joint winner with Patrick Dodson
Person of the Year 1998
Mick Dodson
Joint winner with Mick Dodson
Person of the Year 1998
Patrick Dodson
Female Elder of the Year 1998
Queenie McKenzie
Male Elder of the Year 1998
George Mye
Joint winner with Delson Stokes Jnr
Youth of the Year 1998
Nicole Casser
Joint winner with Nicole Casser
Youth of the Year 1998
Delson Stokes Jnr
Artist of the Year 1998
Raymond Blanco
Scholar of the Year 1998
Raymond (Jack) Gibson
Apprentice of the Year 1998
June Djaigween
Sportsperson of the Year 1998
Ali Drummond
1997
Person of the Year 1997
Ray Robinson
Female Elder of the Year 1997
Una Walker
Male Elder of the Year 1997
Eric Walker
Youth of the Year 1997
Kyle Morrison
Artist of the Year 1997
Ron Corbett
Scholar of the Year 1997
John Williams Mozeley
Apprentice of the Year 1997
Kasey Wehrman
Sportsperson of the Year 1997
Kasey Wehrman
1995
Person of the Year 1995
Reg Blow
Youth of the Year 1995
Timothy Lilley
Artist of the Year 1995
Richard Mullet
Scholar of the Year 1995
Graham Atkinson
Apprentice of the Year 1995
Robert Hudson
Sportsperson of the Year 1995
Rohan Best
1994
Person of the Year 1994
Ernie Dingo
Youth of the Year 1994
Vanessa Fitzgerald
Artist of the Year 1994
Rex Murray
Scholar of the Year 1994
Rosie Smith
Apprentice of the Year 1994
Darren Braydon
Sportsperson of the Year 1994
Kyle Vander Kuyp
1993
Person of the Year 1993
Charles Perkins
Youth of the Year 1993
Natalie Barney
Artist of the Year 1993
Roger Knox
Scholar of the Year 1993
Damien Miller
Apprentice of the Year 1993
Barry Fewquandie
Sportsperson of the Year 1993
Lachlan Wright
1992
Note in 1992 this was known as the Aboriginal of the Year
Person of the Year 1992
Mrs Geraldine Briggs
Youth of the Year 1992
Shane Simpson
Artist of the Year 1992
John Harding
Artist of the Year 1992
Danny Eastwood
Scholar of the Year 1992
Natalie Barney
Apprentice of the Year 1992
David Pidek
Sportsperson of the Year 1992
Robert Peden
1987
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal of the Year
Person of the Year 1987
Joan Winch
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Youth of the
Youth of the Year 1987
Ron Ingram
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Artist of the
Artist of the Year 1987
Jack Wunuwun
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Scholar of
Scholar of the Year 1987
Norma Joshua
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Apprentice of
Apprentice of the Year 1987
Alanna Speedy
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Sportsperson
Sportsperson of the Year 1987
Catherine Hillard
1986
Note in 1985 this was known as the Aboriginal of the Year
Person of the Year 1986
Cathy Mills
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal Artist of the
Artist of the Year 1986
James Agius
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal Scholar of
Scholar of the Year 1986
Eve Fesl
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal Apprentice of
Apprentice of the Year 1986
Thomas Wear
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal Sportsperson
Sportsperson of the Year 1986
Warren Lawton
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal Sportsperson
Sportsperson of the Year 1986
Phynea Clarke
1985
Note in 1985 this was known as the Aboriginal of the Year
Person of the Year 1985
Kath Walker
Artist of the Year 1985
Justine Saunders
Scholar of the Year 1985
Rhonda Dadleh
Apprentice of the Year 1985
Lester Rigney
Sportsperson of the Year 1985
Kyle Vander Kuyp