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1. NAIDOC 2010 Poster

   "The artwork depicts an Aboriginal mother who is an ‘Unsung Hero’ leading her children through example, showing that actions can speak louder than words.

2. NAIDOC 2014 Poster

   "My artwork features three brothers with their land behind them and the horizon before the. Their Elders are reflected in the water, giving the brothers the strength to overcome what lies over the horizon.

3. NAIDOC 2009 Poster

   "This artwork represents the elders teaching and keeping watch over the young as they learn and grow into adults to then carry on the culture. The painting also depicts the old ones who watch over everyone to protect and guide us through our lives.

4. Ashleigh Barty AO

   Ash Barty AO was born in Ipswich, Queensland. Through her great-grandmother, Ash is a member of the Ngarigo people, the Aboriginal people of southern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria.

5. Listen

   Ash Gardner

   National NAIDOC Sportsperson Award Category

   

   Ashleigh (Ash) Gardner is a Muruwari woman from south-western Sydney. Her Mob and Country – the Muruwari people, are from south-west Queensland and rural north-west New South Wales. Ash plays on the Australian women’s cricket team and is an accomplished all-rounder. 

   Ash played a number of sports as a child but quickly realised that cricket was her number one. Not only did cricket give her the drive to excel, it also seemed like a potential future career possibility. She was fortunate enough to receive her first state cricket contract at the age of 17. Even though she was still completing her HSC, it was quite clear where Ash’s priorities were – and that was cricket! Exposure to professional sport environments helped Ash to learn that talent was only going to get her so far and that she had to change her attitude if she wanted to achieve her lifelong dream of playing for Australia. 

   At the age of 18, Ash was named Captain of the Australian Indigenous team completing a tour in India. Two years later, Ash captained that same side for the 150th anniversary of the first Aboriginal cricket team who played in Britain in 1868. By the age of 22, Ash was a two-time world champion and continues to be destructive with the bat and a match-winner with the ball. 

   In 2022, she was recognised for her outstanding achievements by Cricket Australia who named Ash the Belinda Clark Medallist – the highest individual honour in Australian Women's Cricket – and awarded to Australia’s best women’s international cricketer. Ash and her team went on to win the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand where she and her teammate went undefeated. Ash and her team also won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 

   After Australia won the 2023 Women’s Twenty20 World Cup, Ashleigh received the International Cricket Council’s Player of the Tournament Award.  

   Being a role model for young aspiring Aboriginal athletes was never something Ash thought she would be but understands that this comes with being a professional cricketer. Her aim is to always be professional both on and off the field and to showcase positivity for young kids. 

   Ash also founded The Ashleigh Gardner Foundation whose goal is to increase the number of Aboriginal kids finishing high school and aims to provide a healthy start to the school day for Aboriginal kids: “we believe by delivering a positive experience at school through providing breakfast and unstructured play, it will encourage these kids to complete their education long term”. 

   The Ashleigh Gardner Foundation’s mission is to foster a positive culture and a healthy lifestyle through sport, education and art with hope of increasing positive self-belief and confidence at a young age. 

   To kick off her 2023 year, after a successful WBBL season for the Sydney Sixers, Ash was named Player of the Tournament. Following the WBBL season, Ash travelled to South Africa with the Australian women's team, where they secured a historic sixth T20World Cup crown, with Ash playing a starring role and being named the Player of the Tournament. 

   She is proud to represent her Mob and culture, with her clan name tattooed on her arm to remind her of her roots.  

    

   Video created by Blacklock Media.

6. Ashley Farrall

   Ashley Farrall is a 22 year old Arrernte Man from Alice Springs, and a second year apprentice chef at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. With a passion for food and a creative flair, Ashley experiments with local bush foods and inspires the other chefs with his enthusiasm.

7. Ali Golding

   Auntie Ali Golding is a grassroots Indigenous leader recognised as a valued elder who demonstrates compassion, humility and justice.

   A proud Bripi woman, Ali grew up on the Taree Mission in New South Wales.

8. Listen

   Dr Aunty Bilawara Lee

   National NAIDOC Female Elder Award Category

   

   Dr Aunty Bilawara Lee is a proud Larrakia woman and Senior Elder who works tirelessly in her community to continue Larrakia people’s connection to Country, culture, and Ancestors through education, language, spirituality and healing. 

   Aunty Bilawara grew up in Darwin, and is the eldest child of Larrakia Elder Mary Lee (nee Cubillo), and Herbert Lee, a Karajarri man from north Western Australia. Her name Bilawara, means the red-tailed black cockatoo, and is an Ancestral spirit that brings about change. She is a mother of three, grandmother to nine and Aunty to all. 

   Aunty Bilawara has experienced a diverse career and is passionate about reviving and teaching the Larrakia language and culture for future generations. Aunty Bilawara has been working closely with the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation to revive the Larrakia language, songs and dance. As part of her work to revive and maintain Larrakia culture, Aunty Bilawara attends many workplaces to teach Acknowledgment of Country in Larrakia language and facilitates language workshops. This has included radio presenters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Australian Defence Force and other government departments. Dr Aunty Bilawara has also taught the Governor General and the previous and present Northern Territory Administrators an Acknowledgement to Country in Larrakia language and regularly performs Welcomes to Country and Smoking ceremonies. 

   This work does not stop her from continuing the grass roots level work on the ground, and in community, where she organises and cooks a monthly lunch gathering for Larrakia Nation Elders group, the Danila Dilba Stolen Generation Garden Point group, and the Stolen Generation Organisation and works closely to teach language and share culture with local schools and charity organisations. 

   Aunty Bilawara is recognised by the Larrakia community as a Gurdimin-ba Bali, a Spirit Doctor, a healer and teacher of the ancient wisdoms of Aboriginal Spirituality and Healing. She is also an internationally published author, with two books, Star Dreaming and Healing from the Dilly Bag. She has travelled nationally and internationally conducting workshops on Aboriginal spirituality and healing, and sits on several boards, committees and community groups for her knowledge in Aboriginal culture and practices. This includes being the Chair of the Northern Territory Minister's Health Advisory Committee, Chair of the Menzies School of Health Research's First Nations Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Northern Territory Clinical Senate since January 2018. In 2021 she represented Australia on the International Indigenous Grandmothers Council who are recognised as the wisdom keepers of the world’s ancient sacred knowledges. 

   Aunty Bilawara is currently the inaugural Larrakia Academic in-Residence at Charles Darwin University where she is actively involved in providing culturally informed guidance on cultural protocols and practices, and support to the University’s staff and students. As an ambassador for Charles Darwin University and a link between higher education, health and the community, Aunty Bilawara encourages others to continue their education as she believes it helps people better their lives, health and employment resulting in better living conditions for all. In April 2023, Aunty Bilawara was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Charles Darwin University for her work in health, education, cultural and spiritual work. 

   In 2021, Aunty Bilawara won the Northern Territory NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year Award and in 2022 was a finalist in the Senior Australian of the Year Award, received a Senior of Excellence Award and an Award from the Mental Health Foundation of Australia. Aunty Bilawara’s generosity in building a rich diverse community extends to giving her energy, knowledge and skills to other communities, such as the LGBTIQA+ community and many different ethnic communities who have settled in Darwin. She works closely with the Multi-Cultural Council of Darwin and the Melaleuca Refugee Centre, providing classes to newly arrived refugees, including on how to gain employment. 

   Aunty Bilawara has supported and worked alongside many of our First Nations Leaders and has always given her time, energy and resources to help others learn about the deep connection to land, seas and sky that we still have today, all while she continues to practice, share and promote Larrakia cultural protocols.  

    

   Video created by Blacklock Media. 

9. Carolyn Briggs

   Aunty Carolyn Briggs is a Boonwurrung elder from Victoria who is recognised as a keeper of the history and genealogies of her people.

   She says, “It’s about the strength of families, our heritage and the sense of belonging to place.”

10. Listen

    Aunty Dulcie Flower AM

    National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award Category

    

     

    Aunty Dulcie Flower AM was born in Cairns in 1938. Aunty Dulcie’s mother was of the Meriam People of Torres Strait. Aunty Dulcie has left an indelible mark on Australian history through her unwavering dedication to activism, advocacy, and community development. 

    Aunty Dulcie’s Grandfather was born on Mer (Murray Island) with the family later moving to Erub (Darnley Island). Aunty Dulcie has fond memories of growing up as part of the Torres Strait Community in Cairns and enjoyed the regions multicultural atmosphere. Aunty Dulcie recalls the vibrant pearl and trochus shell industries in Cairns during her youth and how these industries, and those that worked in them, touched the lives of her family. 

    As the oldest in her family, Aunty Dulcie left school early to join the workforce. Whilst employed in her first role at a timber mill, Aunty Dulcie attended night school, eventually moving into office work and later becoming a registered nurse. Aunty Dulcie relocated to Sydney to advance her career by studying midwifery and working for several years as an operating room nurse. 

    During this time, Aunty Dulcie was invited by her Aboriginal colleagues to meet community members, leading her to join the Aborigines Progressive Association, led at the time by the late Elder Bert Groves. This led to the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI), for which Aunty Dulcie served as Conference Delegate and eventually General Secretary. 

    FCAATSI had a broad, progressive focus, campaigning for improved outcomes for First Nations peoples in regard to cultural recognition, industrial equality, health, legal protections, education, housing, clean water, proper waste disposal, and land ownership. FCAATSI fought to end racism and discriminatory legislation, and fought for self-determination. Notably, FCAATSI campaigned for change to the Commonwealth Constitution in 1967, resulting in a successful referendum that recognised First Nations people’s constitutional right to vote and to the provision of Commonwealth Services. This meant that for the first time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples had the “right to choose”.

    Aunty Dulcie was later invited by members of the Redfern community to participate in the planning of a community medical clinic. In collaboration with her community, South Sydney Community Aid, and doctors from Prince Wales Hospital, Aunty Dulcie helped to establish the Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative (AMS Redfern), a vital community service. Aunty Dulcie has dedicated many years to AMS Redfern, acting as a foundation member and a volunteer, before eventually being elected Director of the AMS Redfern board, a role she continue to hold today. Aunty Dulcie has represented AMS Redfern on panels discussing health issues at all levels. Aunty Dulcie recognises her work with AMS Redfern has having inspired her later work as a Community Educator and a Health Worker Education Program Co-ordinator.

    Aunty Dulcie has since connected with international organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations (UN). In attending the WHO’s workshop on Globalisation and Diabetes at Yale University, Aunty Dulcie was able to discuss health issues with a team of researchers from Sub-Saharan Nations, Vietnam, Mexico, USA, and Australia. Aunty Dulcie acted as a delegate for the UN’s End of Decade International Women’s Conference in Kenya.

    Aunty Dulcie has acted in several high profile roles, including her appointment to the Torres Strait Advisory Board of ATSIC, as Regional Councillor of Sydney Regional Council, as a member of the NSW Torres Strait Islander Organisation, and as a member of the inaugural Board of Bangarra.

    Throughout her career Aunty Dulcie has maintained a connection to her roots in health care and has been a member of Carers New South Wales, an honorary Fellow of the Australian College of Nursing and a foundation member of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Nurses and Midwives. Aunty Dulcie is currently involved in a research project on Aboriginal Women Activists in Redfern.

    Aunty Dulcie Flower’s contributions have been recognised on a national scale, culminating in her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 for her significant service to the Indigenous community and her pivotal role in the 1967 Referendum Campaign.

    Amongst her many achievements, Aunty Dulcie recognises the importance of her family. Aunty Dulcie has two children, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, who she couldn’t be prouder of.  Aunty Dulcie also acknowledges the people who have impacted her throughout her journey, stating:

    “So I have met the most amazing people, mentored by the late, with respect, Faith Bandler, Pastor Doug Nicholls, Joe McGinness, Bert Groves, PeRl Gibbs,  Aunt Geraldine Briggs, Gladys Elphick, Winnie Branson, and with colleagues including Joyce Clague, Evelyn Scott, Bruce MacGuiness, Ken Brindle, Isobel Kent, Sally Goold, Ray Peckham, Naomi Mayers and Sol Bellear.

    My Torres Strait family has also mentored me and I am blessed to have the privilege of working with Aboriginal People and also with Torres Strait Islanders to gain justice and equality in this country. An important aspect has been encouraging non-Aboriginal students and professionals to work with our peoples not for them, in the ongoing struggles to achieve equality in access to the necessities of life, cultural acknowledgement and respect, freedom from racism, optimum standards of housing, health, education, clean water supply, and land ownership.”