NAIDOC Awards facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The NAIDOC Awards are annual Australian awards conferred on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals during the national celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples known as NAIDOC Week. (The name is derived from National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.)

The committee

The awards are named after the committee that was originally responsible for organising the national activities to mark NAIDOC Week, the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Each year, a different city hosts the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony. The host city, National NAIDOC Poster Competition and the NAIDOC Awards recipients are selected by the National NAIDOC Committee. The awards are presented at the annual NAIDOC Awards Ceremony and Ball.

Poster

The first NAIDOC poster was created in 1972 to promote "Aborigines Day", which had been established as part of a campaign for better rights for Aboriginal people. The posters continued to reflect the spirit of protest until 1977, with titles like "Self Determination" and "Chains or Chance". The 1978 poster was different, reflecting the move from a single day of demonstration to a celebration lasting a week each July, after the new committee was established. The 1988 poster, "Recognise and Share the Survival of the Oldest Culture in the World" reflected the name change to NAIDOC, which formally included Torres Strait Islander people in the event. In the 1990s a competition to design the poster was introduced.

Winners 2021–2030

2023 winners

Lifetime Achievement - Aunty Dr Naomi Mayers OAM
Person of the Year - Professor Kelvin Kong
Female Elder of the Year Award Aunty Dr Matilda House-Williams
Male Elder of the Year - William Tilmouth
Sportsperson of the Year - Donnell Wallam
Youth of the Year - Courtney Burns
Creative Talent - Rachel Perkins
Caring for Country and Culture - Lala Gutchen
Education Award - Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
Innovation Award - Daniel Motlop

2022 winners

The awards ceremony was held in Melbourne on 2 July 2022. The winners are:

Person of the Year — Ash Barty AO
Lifetime Achievement Award – Stan Grant Snr AM
Female Elder Award – Lois Peeler AM
Male Elder Award – Uncle Jack Charles
Sportsperson Award – Buddy Franklin
Youth Award – Elijah Manis
Creative Talent Award – Lowell Hunter
Caring for Country and Culture Award – Walter Jackson
Education Award – Bronwyn Fredericks
Innovation Award – The Koori Mail team and volunteers, for their "coordination and leadership" of relief efforts after the record-breaking March 2022 floods in Lismore

2021 winners

The 2021 National NAIDOC Awards ceremony in Alice Springs (Mparntwe) was cancelled. An alternative NAIDOC Awards event was planned for 3 July 2021 at the Sydney Opera House, but was postponed. As Sydney went into a COVID-19 lockdown on 23 June, rules for travellers returning to the Northern Territory meant that most people could not attend the Sydney event without a 14-day quarantine. The award-winners were announced on 1 December 2021. The winners are:

Lifetime Achievement Award – Pat O'Shane AM
Person of the Year – Keri Tamwoy
Female Elder of the Year – Christobel Swan
Male Elder of the Year – Ernest Hoolihan
Caring for Country – Gadrian Hoosan on behalf of the Borroloola Community
Youth of the Year – Samara Fernandez-Brown
Artist of the Year – Bobbi Lockyer
Scholar of the Year – Sasha Purcell
Apprentice of the Year – Jarron Andy
Sportsperson of the Year – Clarence "CJ" McCarthy-Grogan

Winners 2011–2020

2020 winners

Due to the impact and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia the National NAIDOC Committee cancelled the 2020 National NAIDOC Awards. The National Indigenous Australians Agency announced the 2020 awards would be presented in July 2021 with the 2021 awards.

2019 winners

Sportsperson of the Year - Shantelle Thompson
Female Elder of the Year - Thelma Weston
Male Elder of the Year - Greg Little
Person of the Year - Dean Duncan
Artist of the Year - Elma Gada Kris
Youth of the Year - Mi-kaisha Masella
Lifetime achievement award - David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu
Caring for Country - Littlewell Working Group
Scholar of the Year - Professor Michael McDaniel
Apprentice of the Year - Ganur Maynard

2018 winners

Sportsperson of the Year - Jack Peris
Female Elder of the Year - Lynette Nixon
Male Elder of the Year - Russell Charles Taylor AM
Person of the Year - Dr June Oscar AO
Artist of the Year - Adam Briggs "Briggs"
Youth of the Year - Tamina Pitt
Lifetime achievement award - Patricia Anderson AO
Caring for Country - Mungalla Aboriginal Business Corporation in North Queensland
Scholar of the Year - Professor Michelle Trudgett
Apprentice of the Year - Folau Talbot

2017 winners

Sportsperson of the Year - Amanda Reid
Female Elder of the Year - Faye Carr
Male Elder of the Year - Alex "Ollie" George
Person of the Year - Patrick "Patty" Mills
Artist of the Year - Elverina Johnson
Youth of the Year - Latia Schefe
Lifetime achievement award - Dianne Ryder
Caring for Country - Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council Aboriginal Corporation (QLD)
Scholar of the Year - Dr James Charles
Apprentice of the Year - Sharee Yamashita

2016 winners

Sportsperson of the Year – Jade North
Female Elder of the Year – MaryAnn Bin-Sallik
Male Elder of the Year – Robert Francis Isaacs
Person of the Year – Goreng Goreng man Professor Chris Sarra
Artist of the Year – Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Youth of the Year – Elijah Douglas
Lifetime achievement award – Stephen Page
Caring for Country – Manymak Energy Efficiency Project (NT)
Scholar of the Year – Layneisha Sgro
Apprentice of the Year – Montana Ah-Won

2015 winners

Youth of the Year – Chris Tamwoy
Apprentice of the Year – Ashley Farrall
Artist of the Year – Daren Dunn
Poster competition winner – Elaine Chambers
Caring for Country – Warddeken Caring for Country Project
Female Elder of the Year – Veronica Perrule Dobson
Male Elder of the Year – Graham Taylor
Lifetime Achievement Award – Tauto Sansbury
Person of the Year – Rosalie Kunoth-Monks
Scholar of the Year – Michelle Deshong
Sportsperson of the Year – Ryan Morich

2014 winners

Youth of the Year – Chern’ee Sutton
Youth of the Year – Amelia Telford
Apprentice of the Year – Patricia Doolan
Artist of the Year – Shellie Morris
Poster competition winner – Harry Alfred Pitt
Caring for Country – The Uunguu Healthy Country Project
Lifetime Achievement Award – Linda Burney
Person of the Year – Gracelyn Smallwood
Female Elder of the Year – Patricia O'Connor
Male Elder of the Year – Richard Archibald
Scholar of the Year – Donisha Duff
Sportsperson of the Year – Jesse Williams

2013 winners

Youth of the Year – Kate Malpass
Apprentice of the Year – Danny Bromot
Artist of the Year – Tony Briggs
Poster competition winner – Gail Naden
Caring for Country – Jimmy Edgar
Lifetime Achievement Award – Galarrwuy Yunupingu
Person of the Year – Darryl Kickett
Female Elder of the Year – Rose Richards
Male Elder of the Year – John Hayden
Scholar of the Year – Dr Mark McMillan
Sportsperson of the Year – Jonathan Thurston

2012 winners

Youth of the Year – Benson Saulo
Apprentice of the Year – Michael Clinch
Artist of the Year – Stephen Page
Poster competition winner – Juundaal Strang-Yettica
Caring for Country – Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Corporation
Lifetime Achievement Award – Bunna Lawrie
Person of the Year – David Wirrpanda
Female Elder of the Year – Margaret Lawton
Female Elder of the Year – Maureen Kelly
Male Elder of the Year – Hezekiel Jingoonya
Scholar of the Year – Sarah Bourke
Sportsperson of the Year – Vanessa Wilson
Sportsperson of the Year – Joshua Robinson
Torres Strait Artist of the Year – Alick Tipoti

2011 winners

Youth of the Year – Kiel Williams-Weigel
Apprentice of the Year – Joshua Toomey
Artist of the Year – Robyn Djunginy
Poster competition winner – Matthew Humphries
Lifetime Achievement Award – Ned Cheedy
Caring for Country – Warru Recovery Team
Person of the Year – Terri Janke
Female Elder of the Year – Carolyn Briggs
Male Elder of the Year – Eldridge Mosby
Scholar of the Year – Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney
Sportsperson of the Year – Preston Campbell

Winners 2001–2010

2010 winners

Youth of the Year – Jessica Smith
Apprentice of the Year – Lucas Kickett
Artist of the Year – Lewis Langton
Poster competition winner – Sheree Blackley
Caring for Country – Crazy Ant Management Program
Lifetime Achievement Award – Vince Coulthard
Person of the Year – Dennis Eggington
Female Elder of the Year – Ali Golding
Male Elder of the Year – Ali Drummond
Male Elder of the Year – Lester Bostock
Scholar of the Year – Megan Davis
Sportsperson of the Year – Rohanee Cox

2009 winners

Youth of the Year – Gemma Benn
Apprentice of the Year – Danny Sebasio
Artist of the Year – Wayne Quilliam
Poster competition winner – Luke Mallie
Lifetime Achievement Award – Lowitja O'Donoghue
Person of the Year – Larissa Behrendt
Male Elder of the Year – Reg Knox
Male Elder of the Year – Frank Lampard
Female Elder of the Year – Elsie Heiss
Female Elder of the Year – Doris Eaton
Scholar of the Year – Dr Chelsea Bond
Sportsperson of the Year – Andrew McLeod

2009 winners

Torres Strait Senior Cultural Award – Alick Tipoti

2008 winners

Youth of the Year – Krista Moir
Youth of the Year – Angeline Blackburn
Apprentice of the Year – Amy McQuire
Artist of the Year – Les Elvin
Poster competition winner – Duwun (Tony) Lee and Laniyuk (Ian) Lee
Lifetime Achievement Award – Archie Roach
Lifetime Achievement Award – Joseph Elu
Lifetime Achievement Award – Chicka Dixon
Person of the Year – Colleen Hayward
Male Elder of the Year – Bob Muir
Female Elder of the Year – Carol Petterson
Scholar of the Year – Dr Karen Martin
Sportsperson of the Year – Stacey Porter

2007 winners

Youth of the Year – Simone Liddy
Apprentice of the Year – Hamid Bin Saad
Artist of the Year – Leah Purcell
Poster competition winner – Tyeli Hannah
Lifetime Achievement Award – John (Jak) Ah Kit
Person of the Year – Mark Bin Bakar
Female Elder of the Year – Dr Ruby Langford Ginibi
Male Elder of the Year – Boyd Scully
Male Elder of the Year – Jim Hagan (Snr)
Scholar of the Year – Dr Yin Carl Paradies
Sportsperson of the Year – Robert Crowther

2006 winners

Youth of the Year – Jo-Anne D'Cress
Artist of the Year – Warren H. Williams
Poster competition winner – Charmaine Green
Lifetime Achievement Award – Elizabeth Morgan Hoffman
Person of the Year – Stephen Hagan (Jnr)
Female Elder of the Year – Judy Tatow
Male Elder of the Year – Vince Ross
Scholar of the Year – Dr Chris Sara
Sportsperson of the Year – Patrick Mills

2005 winners

Youth of the Year – Joleen Ryan
Artist of the Year – Kerrianne Cox
Poster competition winner – Benjamin Hodges
Lifetime Achievement Award – Arthur Murray
Person of the Year – Cheryl Buchanan
Person of the Year – Rodney Dillon
Female Elder of the Year – Mary Jane Ware
Male Elder of the Year – Albert Holt
Scholar of the Year – Simon Forrest
Sportsperson of the Year – Pam Pedersen

2004 winners

Youth of the Year – Michael Hayden
Artist of the Year – Jirra Lulla Harvey
Poster competition winner – Jirra Lulla Harvey
Person of the Year – Aden Ridgeway
Elder of the Year – Merlene Mead
Male Elder of the Year – Steve Mam
Scholar of the Year – Kaye Price
Sportsperson of the Year – Adam Goodes

2003 winners

Youth of the Year – Stacey Kelly-Greenup
Artist of the Year – Belynda Waugh
Poster competition winner – Belynda Waugh
Person of the Year – Deborah Mailman
Female Elder of the Year – Violet French
Male Elder of the Year – William Kennedy
Scholar of the Year – Frederick Penny
Sportsperson of the Year – David Peachey

2002 winners

Youth of the Year – Bruce 'Borro' Johnson
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Michelle Tyhuis
Poster competition winner – Juundaal Strang-Yettica
Person of the Year – Steve Gordon
Male Elder of the Year – Lyal Munro Snr and Peter Coppin (Joint winners)
Female Elder of the Year – Ida West
Scholar of the Year – Tracey Westerman
Sportsperson of the Year – Bo Delacruz
Special Achievement Award – Dr Shane Fernando

2001 winners

Youth of the Year – Vanessa Elliot
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Todd Phillips
Poster competition winner – Marika Baumgart
Person of the Year – Kutcha Edwards
Female Elder of the Year – Alice 'Mummy' Clark
Male Elder of the Year – Cec Fisher
Scholar of the Year – Dr Cheryl Kickett-Tucker
Sportsperson of the Year – Warren Lawton

Winners 1991–2000

2000 winners

Youth of the Year – Marie Dennis
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Alison Gear
Artist of the Year – Jimmy Wavehill
Poster competition winner – Cecily Wellington
Person of the Year – Anthony Mundine
Female Elder of the Year – Yvonne Agius
Male Elder of the Year – James Rice
Scholar of the Year – Marlina Whop
Sportsperson of the Year – Troy Murphy

1999 winners

Youth of the Year – Samantha Cook and Jeremy Geia (Joint winners)
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Gary Bonney
Artist of the Year – Wenten Rubuntja
Poster Competition Winner – Warick Keen
Person of the Year – Bob Randall
Male Elder of the Year – Geoff Shaw
Female Elder of the Year – Zona Martin
Scholar of the Year – Tracey Brand
Sportsperson of the Year – Nicky Winmar
Torres Strait Senior Cultural Award – Alick Tipoti

1998 winners

Youth of the Year – Nicole Casser and Delson Stokes Jnr (Joint winners)
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – June Djaigween
Artist of the Year – Raymond Blanco
Poster Competition Winner – Ray Thomas
Person of the Year – Pat Dodson and Mick Dodson (Joint winners)
Male Elder of the Year – George Mye
Female Elder of the Year – Queenie McKenzie
Scholar of the Year – Raymond (Jack) Gibson
Sportsperson of the Year – Ali Drummond

1997 winners

Youth of the Year – Kyle Morrison
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Kasey Wehrman
Artist of the Year – Ron Corbett
Poster Competition Winner – Eleanor Binge
Person of the Year – Ray Robinson
Male Elder of the Year – Eric Walker
Female Elder of the Year – Una Walker
Scholar of the Year – John Williams Mozeley
Sportsperson of the Year – Kasey Wehrman
Miss NAIDOC – Vicky Hextall

1996 winners

Youth of the Year – Yvonne Marika
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Jade Johnson
Artist of the Year – Jonathon Brown
Poster Competition Winner –
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year – Tauto Sansbury
Elder of the Year – Freda Winmar
Scholar of the Year – Jill Abdulla
Aboriginal Sportsperson of the Year – Derek Kickett
Miss National NAIDOC – Nevanka McKeon

1995 winners

Youth of the Year – Timothy Lilley
Apprentice of the Year – Robert Hudson
Poster competition winner – Ian Wallan Hill
Aboriginal of the Year – Reg Blow
Artist of the Year – Richard Mullet
Scholar of the Year – Graham Atkinson
Sportsperson of the Year – Rohan Best

1994 winners

Youth of the Year – Vanessa Fitzgerald
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Darren Braydon
Artist of the Year – Rex Murray
Poster Competition Winner – Dale Huddleston and Scott Towney
Person of the Year – Ernie Dingo
Scholar of the Year – Rosie Smith
Sportsperson of the Year – Kyle Vander Kuyp

1993 winners

Aboriginal of the Year – Charles Perkins
Scholar of the Year – Glenda Kickett

1992 winners

Youth of the Year – Shane Simpson
Apprentice of the Year – David Pidek
Artist of the Year – Danny Eastwood and John Harding (joint winners)
Poster Competition Winner – Heather Shearer
Aboriginal of the Year – Mrs Geraldine Briggs
Scholar of the Year – Natalie Barney
Sportsperson of the Year – Robert Peden

1991 winners

Aboriginal of the Year – David Wowaljarlai
Junior Award – Les Ritchie-Corlett
Poster Competition Winner – Ron Hurley

Winners 1985–1990

1990 winners

Aboriginal of the Year – Shirley Smith (Mum Shirl)

1989 winners

Aboriginal of the Year – Jimmy Little

1988 winners

Youth of the Year – Cain Muir
Apprentice of the Year – Shaun Thompson
Artist of the Year – Ramingining Artists Community
Poster Competition Winner –
Aboriginal of the Year – Alice Kelly
Scholar of the Year – Ron James
Sportsperson of the Year – Tony Currie

1987 winners

Youth of the Year – Ron Ingram
Apprentice of the Year – Alanna Speedy
Artist of the Year – Jack Wunuwun
Poster Competition Winner – Lawrie Nilsen
Aboriginal of the Year – Sister Joan Winch
Aboriginal Scholar of the Year – Norma Joshua
Aboriginal Sportsperson of the Year – Catherine Hillard

1986 winners

Apprentice of the Year – Thomas Wear
Artist of the Year – James Agius
Poster Competition Winner –
Aboriginal of the Year – Kathy Mills
Scholar of the Year – Eve Fesl
Sportswoman of the Year – Phynea Clarke
Sportsman of the Year – Warren Lawton

1985 winners

Apprentice of the Year – Lester Rigney
Artist of the Year – Justine Saunders
Poster Competition Winner –
Aboriginal of the Year – Kath Walker
Scholar of the Year – Rhonda Dadleh
Sportsperson of the Year – Kyle Vander Kuyp

NAIDOC Awards facts for kids

Contents

The committee

Categories

Poster

Winners 2021–2030

2023 winners

2022 winners

2021 winners

Winners 2011–2020

2020 winners

2019 winners

2018 winners

2017 winners

2016 winners

2015 winners

2014 winners

2013 winners

2012 winners

2011 winners

Winners 2001–2010

2010 winners

2009 winners

2009 winners

2008 winners

2007 winners

2006 winners

2005 winners

2004 winners

2003 winners

2002 winners

2001 winners

Winners 1991–2000

2000 winners

1999 winners

1998 winners

1997 winners

1996 winners

1995 winners

1994 winners

1993 winners

1992 winners

1991 winners

Winners 1985–1990

1990 winners

1989 winners

1988 winners

1987 winners

1986 winners

1985 winners

See also