Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC Award
Nominations for the Lord Mayor's NAIDOC Award 2026 are now closed.
Stay tuned for the winner announcement during NAIDOC Week 2026.
For more information, visit:
The Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC Award celebrates the achievements and outstanding service of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individual who has made a significant contribution to fostering reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
Established in 2019, the award acknowledges those who have demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and a dedication to reconciliation, inspiring others to engage in these efforts to heal and unite communities.
Award overview
The Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC Award is given to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and non-Indigenous Australians. The award recognises those who have fostered understanding, healing, and collaboration across cultures, and who inspire others to contribute actively to reconciliation efforts.
The award aims to:
- Celebrate achievements in Reconciliation
- Promote awareness of NAIDOC Week and the award
- Foster community participation
- Inspire others to engage in Reconciliation
To be eligible for the Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC Award, nominees must:
- Must be a resident of South Australia
- Must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- Has made a significant contribution to reconciliation in the City of Adelaide
- Achievement period: The achievements or contributions for which the nominee is being recognised should have occurred within a specified period, typically the past 12 months to 5 years
Nominations for the Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC Award can be made by individuals, organisations, or community groups.
How to Submit a Nomination:
- Complete the online nomination form on the City of Adelaide website
- Provide supporting documentation, including:
- A biography of the nominee (max 500 words)
- A statement of the nominee’s contribution to reconciliation per the Selection Criteria (max 500 words)
- At least one written reference (max two references, max 500 words per reference)
- Supporting evidence of the nominee’s contributions to community, leadership, or their field of expertise.
The nominations will be assessed based on the following Selection Criteria:
- Community Impact - Demonstrated impact on the community through initiatives, projects, or activities that benefit others
- Leadership skills - Displayed exemplary leadership qualities such as vision, communication, collaboration, and motivation
- Empowerment of Others - Empowered and inspired others to become active participants in community engagement and leadership roles
- Collaboration - Fostered collaboration and partnerships among diverse groups and stakeholders to achieve common goals
Key dates
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Nominations open | Friday 1 May 2026 |
| Nominations close | Sunday 14 June 2026 |
| Award Ceremony | Wednesday 8 July 2026 |
More information
For any inquiries about the award or nomination process, please contact the City of Adelaide Reconciliation Team:
Main image: 2024 Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC Award recipient Uncle Frank Wangutya Wanganeen (pictured with Yvonne Agius and Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith)