03 July, 2017
NAIDOC SA Award Winners Celebrated
The recipients of the 2017 NAIDOC SA Awards were announced today at a ceremony at Adelaide Town Hall to celebrate this year’s NAIDOC week.
The Lord Mayor’s civic reception, NAIDOC SA Award presentation and flag raising ceremony have become traditional and popular annual events for NAIDOC Week.
More than 300 guests shared morning tea with the Lord Mayor and observed the raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from the balcony of Town Hall.
Civic ceremonies such as these reflect Council’s continued recognition and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the City of Adelaide.
The national NAIDOC theme for 2017, selected by the National NAIDOC Committee, is “Our Languages Matter”.
The awards were presented by Ms Scharlene Lamont, Chairperson of NAIDOC SA, who was assisted by NAIDOC Ambassadors Sharon Gollan and Frank Lampard OAM.
City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese said that the NAIDOC SA Awards are an important way of honouring the significant contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“We warmly congratulate all award recipients on their achievements and for inspiring others within the community through their actions,” said Lord Mayor Haese.
“The City of Adelaide was the first Local Government in the nation to implement a stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and as well as being a strong supporter of NAIDOC Week, supports reconciliation in a range of other ways, including dual naming of the Park Lands to recognise sacred ground.
“Council’s contribution towards NAIDOC Week this year enables so many people to come together and participate in a range of activities and to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“The City of Adelaide continues to show its commitment to the reconciliation process through its partnership with NAIDOC SA. Hosting the NAIDOC SA awards and the flag raising ceremony in the Town Hall once again clearly demonstrates this commitment.”
To find out more about reconciliation in the City of Adelaide, click here.
This year’s NAIDOC award recipients are below.
| AWARD | RECIPIENT | PRESENTER |
|---|---|---|
| Female Elder of the Year Sponsored by SANTOS |
Heather Agius | Sharon Gollan |
| Male Elder of the Year Sponsored by SANTOS |
Stephen Goldsmith | Frank Lampard |
| Young Person of the Year Sponsored by Life Without Barriers |
Kyran Dixon | Sharon Gollan |
| Person of the Year Sponsored by NAIDOC SA |
Paul Vandenbergh | Frank Lampard |
| Trainee of the Year Sponsored by Maxima |
Brenz Saunders | Sharon Gollan |
| Scholar of the Year Sponsored by the University of SA |
Professor James Ward | Frank Lampard |
| Artist of the Year Sponsored by the Office for the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement |
James Tylor | Sharon Gollan |
| Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander Business of the Year Sponsored by Indigenous Business Australia |
Zancott Recruitment | Frank Lampard |
| Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by SAHMRI |
Doris Kartinyeri | Sharon Gollan |
| Sportswoman of the Year Sponsored by the Office for Recreation and Sport |
Roxanne Dodd | Frank Lampard |
| Sportsman the Year Sponsored by the Office for Recreation and Sport |
Anthony Wilson | Sharon Gollan |
| Caring for Country Award Sponsored by Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources |
Walter Tjami | Frank Lampard |
For more information
Paula Stevens