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7 – 14 July 2024
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Winner profiles

The National NAIDOC Week Awards are an opportunity to recognise our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, scholars, sportspeople, Elders, community members and much more.

The National NAIDOC Awards are announced at a ceremony and ball event in the national focus city. The ceremony is held on the Saturday before the start of NAIDOC Week.

Winner Profiles

2024

Alick Tipoti is a Koedal (crocodile), a Zugubaw Baydham
Caring for Country and Culture Award 2024
Naarah is a Gija woman from the Kimberly who grew up in
Creative Talent Award 2024
Warlpiri teachers and traditional owners of the Newmont
Education Award 2024
Aunty Millie Ingram, a Wiradjuri Elder from Cowra NSW having
Female Elder of the Year 2024
A proud Gudjal man, who grew up in Sydney, New South Wales,
Innovation Award 2024
Aunty Dulcie Flower AM was born in Cairns in 1938. Aunty
Lifetime Achievement Award 2024
Mr Kim Collard – Balladong/Wadjuk Elder of the Noongar
Male Elder of the Year 2024
Aunty Muriel Bamblett is a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja
Person of the Year 2024
Mr Alex Winwood is a proud Noongar man, born in Bunbury
Sportsperson of the Year 2024
Dante Rodrigues is a professional fighter with an impressive
Youth of the Year 2024

2023

Lala Gutchen is a proud
Caring for Country and Culture Award 2023
Rachel Perkins is a proud
Creative Talent Award 2023
Bubup Wilam Aboriginal
Education Award 2023
Aunty Dr Matilda House-Williams is a proud Ngambri (Kamberri
Female Elder of the Year 2023
Daniel Motlop is a Larrakia man from Darwin, Northern
Innovation Award 2023
Aunty Dr Naomi Mayers OAM, is a proud Yorta Yorta and
Lifetime Achievement Award 2023
William Tilmouth is an Arrernte man, born in Mparntwe (Alice
Male Elder of the Year 2023
Professor Kelvin Kong i
Person of the Year 2023
Donnell Wallam is a pro
Sportsperson of the Year 2023
Courtney Burns is a 25
Youth of the Year 2023

2022

Walter Jackson is a Ngarrindjeri man from South Australia.
Caring for Country and Culture Award 2022
Lowell Hunter, known as Salty One, is a Nyul Nyul man
Creative Talent Award 2022
Professor Bronwyn Fredericks is an Aboriginal woman living
Education Award 2022
Dr Lois Peeler AM is a Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri woman.
Female Elder of the Year 2022
The Koori Mail is the only fully Indigenous-owned and
Innovation Award 2022
Dr Stanley 'Stan' Grant Senior AM is an Elder and a warrior
Lifetime Achievement Award 2022
Uncle Jack Charles is a Bunurong and Wiradjuri man, and a
Male Elder of the Year 2022
Ash Barty AO was born in Ipswich, Queensland.
Person of the Year 2022
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin grew up in Dowerin, WA with his
Sportsperson of the Year 2022
Hailing from the islands of Masig and Poruma in the Torres
Youth of the Year 2022

2021

Jarron Andy is a Waanyi, Djiru, Kuku Yalanji and Yindinji
Apprentice of the Year 2021
Bobbi Lockyer is a Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru
Artist of the Year 2021
The town of Borroloola is located 10 hours south-east of
Caring for Country 2021
Christobel Swan is a proud Pertame, Southern Arrernte woman
Female Elder of the Year 2021
Pat O’Shane AM, is a proud Kuku Yalanji woman from Mossman,
Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
Uncle Ernest Hoolihan was born in the far-north Queensland
Male Elder of the Year 2021
Keri Tamwoy is of the Putch people, Wik Mungkan, in the
Person of the Year 2021
Sasha Purcell is from the “Whaleboat” family from Mer Island
Scholar of the Year 2021
CJ McCarthy-Grogan is a Yanyuwa, Garrawa, Kuku-Yalanji man
Sportsperson of the Year 2021
Samara Fernandez‐Brown is a proud Warlpiri woman from
Youth of the Year 2021

2019

Honours student Ganur Maynard has completed multiple
Apprentice of the Year 2019
Elma Kris is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman who grew
Artist of the Year 2019
“Gungoo (Uncle), can you tell and show us where we belong?”
Caring for Country 2019
Thelma Weston, a descendant of the Meriam people of the
Female Elder of the Year 2019
Father, Grandfather, Brother, Actor, Artist, Ceremonial
Lifetime Achievement Award 2019
Highly respected Elder of Noongar Boodjar, Uncle Greg Little
Male Elder of the Year 2019
Dean Duncan is a champion of diversity, social justice and
Person of the Year 2019
Professor Michael McDaniel is a proud member of the Kalari
Scholar of the Year 2019
Shantelle Thompson is known in her community as the
Sportsperson of the Year 2019
Mi-kaisha Masella is a proud
Youth of the Year 2019

2018

Folau Talbot, from Boggabilla, NSW, is a qualified dental
Apprentice of the Year 2018
Proud Yorta Yorta man, Adam Briggs or ‘Briggs’ is a
Artist of the Year 2018
From cattle farmers to eco-tourism, the Mungalla Aboriginal
Caring for Country 2018
Aunty Lynette Nixon is a Gunggari woman who has lived all
Female Elder of the Year 2018
Distinguished Alyawarre woman, Patricia Anderson AO, is
Lifetime Achievement Award 2018
Proud Kamilaroi man, Russell Charles Taylor AM, has been a
Male Elder of the Year 2018
June Oscar AO has an impressive history of extraordinary
Person of the Year 2018
Professor Michelle Trudgett, from the Wiradjuri Nation in
Scholar of the Year 2018
Jack Peris is a proud descendant of the Iwatja people of
Sportsperson of the Year 2018
Tamina Pitt, a Wuthathi and Meriam woman, is a self
Youth of the Year 2018

2017

Sharee Yamashita is a young Thanikwithi woman from Thursday
Apprentice of the Year 2017
Elverina Johnson is a highly respected  Gurugulu and
Artist of the Year 2017
The Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council Aboriginal
Caring for Country 2017
Faye Carr is a Yuggera Elder from Ipswich in Queensland, who
Female Elder of the Year 2017
Dianne Ryder is a proud Noongar woman from Western Australia
Lifetime Achievement Award 2017
Ollie George is a Badimaya Elder from Western Australia who
Male Elder of the Year 2017
Patrick Mills is a Muralag man from the Torres Strait,
Person of the Year 2017
Dr James Charles is a Kaurna man from Adelaide, South
Scholar of the Year 2017
Amanda Reid is Gurinagi & Wamba Wamba women from Sydney,
Sportsperson of the Year 2017
Latia Schefe is a young Yuggera woman from Brisbane,
Youth of the Year 2017

2016

Montana Ah-Won is an 18 year old Miriwoong Gajeroong woman
Apprentice of the Year 2016
Award accepted by Jasmine Yunupingu on behalf of Artist of
Artist of the Year 2016
The Manymak Energy Efficiency Project was successfully
Caring for Country 2016
Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik is a proud Djaru Elder from the
Female Elder of the Year 2016
Stephen Page is a descendant of the Nunukul people and
Lifetime Achievement Award 2016
Dr Robert Francis Isaacs is a Billumum Noongar man, a member
Male Elder of the Year 2016
Professor Chris Sarra, a Goreng Goreng man from Bundaberg,
Person of the Year 2016
Layneisha Sgro is a proud Nyiyaparli, Bardi and Jabbir
Scholar of the Year 2016
Jade North of the Biripi Mob from New South Wales is a two
Sportsperson of the Year 2016
Elijah Douglas is a Ganggalidda, Garrwa, Waanyi and Gudanji
Youth of the Year 2016

2015

Ashley Farrall is a 22 year old Arrernte Man from Alice
Apprentice of the Year 2015
Daren Dunn is a Gamilaroi man from New South Wales and world
Artist of the Year 2015
The Warddeken Caring for Country Project uses the best of
Caring for Country 2015
Veronica Perrule Dobson is an Eastern Arrernte Elder, often
Female Elder of the Year 2015
Tauto Sansbury is a Narungga man from the Yorke Peninsula of
Lifetime Achievement Award 2015
Graham Taylor is a respected Amangu Yamaji Elder from
Male Elder of the Year 2015
Rosalie Kunoth Monks is an Arrernte Anmatjere woman from the
Person of the Year 2015
Michelle Deshong is a proud Kuka Yulanji woman from
Scholar of the Year 2015
Ryan Morich is a Noongar man from Western Australian,
Sportsperson of the Year 2015
Chris Tamwoy has ties to Badu, Boigu and Darnley Islands in
Youth of the Year 2015

2014

This experience and the opportunity for employment has
Apprentice of the Year 2014
Shellie Morris is a strong contributor to the music industry
Artist of the Year 2014
 the Wunambal Gaambera people are ensuring are ensuring
Caring for Country 2014
Patricia O’Connor is the inspirational woman behind the
Female Elder of the Year 2014
A member of the Wiradjuri Nation, Linda Burney is a natural
Lifetime Achievement Award 2014
Richard Archibald is a Gumbaynggirr man born in 1947
Male Elder of the Year 2014
Gracelyn Smallwood grew up in Townsville in Queensland
Person of the Year 2014
her family descend from the Moa and Badu Islands, and the
Scholar of the Year 2014
Born on Thursday Island and raised in Brisbane, Jesse
Sportsperson of the Year 2014
Amelia Telford is a Bundjalung woman originating from
Youth of the Year 2014
Chern’ee Sutton has accomplished more than people many years
Youth of the Year 2014

2013

Danny Bromot is a proud Yolngu man from Nhulunbuy in North
Apprentice of the Year 2013
Starting his career as an actor on Neighbours in the 1980’s,
Artist of the Year 2013
Jimmy Edgar is a Yawuru and Karajarri man from Western
Caring for Country 2013
Rose Richards is a proud Yalangi and Tagalaga Elder from far
Female Elder of the Year 2013
Born at Melville Bay near Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land,
Lifetime Achievement Award 2013
John Hayden is a respected Noongar elder from Brookton in
Male Elder of the Year 2013
Darryl is a Noongar man from the Narrogin area of Western
Person of the Year 2013
Dr Mark McMillan is a Wiradjuri man from Trangie in central
Scholar of the Year 2013
Jonathan Thurston is a rugby league superstar and is a
Sportsperson of the Year 2013
Kate Malpass, a Noongar girl from Perth, has been defying
Youth of the Year 2013

2012

Michael Clinch has shown commitment and dedication to
Apprentice of the Year 2012

2011

Joshua Toomey overcame personal and educational challenges
Apprentice of the Year 2011
Robyn Djunginy is a proud Yolngu woman and a respected elder
Artist of the Year 2011
The Warru Recovery Team works towards the conservation of
Caring for Country 2011
Aunty Carolyn Briggs is a Boonwurrung elder from Victoria
Female Elder of the Year 2011
Ned Cheedy is a respected elder and custodian of
Lifetime Achievement Award 2011
Eldridge Mosby is an elder on the Torres Strait Island of
Male Elder of the Year 2011
Terri Janke was born in Cairns in Queensland, of Torres
Person of the Year 2011
Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney is a Nurungga man who grew
Scholar of the Year 2011
Preston Campbell hails from Tinga in New South Wales and is
Sportsperson of the Year 2011
Twenty-four-year-old Kiel Williams-Weigel was
Youth of the Year 2011

2010

Lucas Kickett, from Narrogin in Western Australia, is an
Apprentice of the Year 2010
Lewis Langton is a visual and performing artist and teacher
Artist of the Year 2010
The Crazy Ant Management Program, run by Dhimurru Aboriginal
Caring for Country 2010
Auntie Ali Golding is a grassroots Indigenous leader
Female Elder of the Year 2010
Vince Coulthard has been the Director of South Australia’s
Lifetime Achievement Award 2010
Uncle Lester Bostock has overcome personal challenges with
Male Elder of the Year 2010
Ali Drummond is a much-loved and respected elder in the
Male Elder of the Year 2010
Dennis Eggington has been the Chief Executive Officer of the
Person of the Year 2010
Megan Davis is Director of the Indigenous Law Centre at the
Scholar of the Year 2010
Olympic champion Rohanee Cox is captain of the WNBL team the
Sportsperson of the Year 2010
Queensland Aboriginal woman Jessica Smith is an Indigenous
Youth of the Year 2010

2009

Danny Sebasio started with Ergon Energy as an unskilled
Apprentice of the Year 2009
Wayne Quilliam has been working on the Australian and
Artist of the Year 2009
Doris Eaton is an Elder and respected law woman of the
Female Elder of the Year 2009
Elsie Heiss, or Aunty Elsie, is a mother of five and
Female Elder of the Year 2009
Born in Indulkana in 1932, Lowitja O’Donoghue was separated
Lifetime Achievement Award 2009
A prominent Elder in the Aboriginal community, Frank H
Male Elder of the Year 2009
Reginald Roy Knox, or Uncle Reg, was born in 1934 at
Male Elder of the Year 2009
Lawyer and author Larissa Behrendt is a passionate and
Person of the Year 2009
Dr Chelsea Bond is an Aboriginal and South Sea Islander
Scholar of the Year 2009
Born and raised in Darwin, Andrew McLeod must rank as one of
Sportsperson of the Year 2009
Gemma Benn is an inspirational young leader who, through her
Youth of the Year 2009

2001

Apprentice of the Year 2001
Female Elder of the Year 2001
Male Elder of the Year 2001
Person of the Year 2001
Scholar of the Year 2001
Sportsperson of the Year 2001
Youth of the Year 2001

2000

Apprentice of the Year 2000
Artist of the Year 2000
Female Elder of the Year 2000
Male Elder of the Year 2000
Person of the Year 2000
Scholar of the Year 2000
Sportsperson of the Year 2000
Youth of the Year 2000
Youth of the Year 2000

1999

Apprentice of the Year 1999
Artist of the Year 1999
Female Elder of the Year 1999
Male Elder of the Year 1999
Person of the Year 1999
Scholar of the Year 1999
Joint winner with Samantha Cook
Youth of the Year 1999
Joint winner with Jeremy Geia
Youth of the Year 1999

1998

Apprentice of the Year 1998
Artist of the Year 1998
Female Elder of the Year 1998
Male Elder of the Year 1998
Joint winner with Patrick Dodson
Person of the Year 1998
Joint winner with Mick Dodson
Person of the Year 1998
Scholar of the Year 1998
Sportsperson of the Year 1998
Joint winner with Nicole Casser
Youth of the Year 1998
Joint winner with Delson Stokes Jnr
Youth of the Year 1998

1997

Apprentice of the Year 1997
Artist of the Year 1997
Female Elder of the Year 1997
Male Elder of the Year 1997
Person of the Year 1997
Scholar of the Year 1997
Sportsperson of the Year 1997
Youth of the Year 1997

1995

Apprentice of the Year 1995
Artist of the Year 1995
Person of the Year 1995
Scholar of the Year 1995
Sportsperson of the Year 1995
Youth of the Year 1995

1994

Apprentice of the Year 1994
Artist of the Year 1994
Person of the Year 1994
Scholar of the Year 1994
Sportsperson of the Year 1994
Youth of the Year 1994

1993

Apprentice of the Year 1993
Artist of the Year 1993
Person of the Year 1993
Scholar of the Year 1993
Sportsperson of the Year 1993
Youth of the Year 1993

1992

Apprentice of the Year 1992
Artist of the Year 1992
Artist of the Year 1992
Person of the Year 1992
Scholar of the Year 1992
Sportsperson of the Year 1992
Youth of the Year 1992

1987

Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal
Apprentice of the Year 1987
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Artist of
Artist of the Year 1987
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal of the
Person of the Year 1987
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Scholar
Scholar of the Year 1987
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal
Sportsperson of the Year 1987
Note in 1987 this was known as the Aboriginal Youth of
Youth of the Year 1987

1986

Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal
Apprentice of the Year 1986
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal Artist of
Artist of the Year 1986
Note in 1985 this was known as the Aboriginal of the Year
Person of the Year 1986
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal Scholar
Scholar of the Year 1986
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal
Sportsperson of the Year 1986
Note in 1986 this was known as the Aboriginal
Sportsperson of the Year 1986

1985

Apprentice of the Year 1985
Artist of the Year 1985
Note in 1985 this was known as the Aboriginal of the
Person of the Year 1985
Scholar of the Year 1985
Sportsperson of the Year 1985

Welcome to NAIDOC.

We acknowledge all First Peoples of the beautiful lands on which we live and celebrate their enduring knowledge and connections to Country. We honour the wisdom of and pay respect to Elders past and present.