Eunice Aston and Frank Lampard have been awarded the 2023 Premier's NAIDOC Award in recognition of their outstanding achievements in improving the lives of Aboriginal people in South Australia.
Eunice Aston (Aunty Eunice) is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, highly respected Elder and NAIDOC SA Ambassador.
She has served the South Australian community for more than twenty years in the Aboriginal health care sector and as a community leader.
Her roles have included delivering training programs to various Aboriginal Communities and to TAFE SA, involvement in mentor training and community liaison within Family and Youth Services.
Aunty Eunice has also served many community organisations including as chair of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, for Kalparrin Community Inc and on the Aboriginal Health Advisory Committee.
Joint winner, Frank Lampard (OAM), also known as Uncle Frank, is a highly respected Aboriginal leader and Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri Elder.
Uncle Frank commenced his career as an educator and teacher and progressed to senior leadership roles within the public sector, working to improve health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
He has completed many roles including as Executive Director of Aboriginal Prisoners and Offenders Support Services Inc and serving as South Australia's Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement.
Uncle Frank continues to contribute as a member of numerous boards and committees across South Australia and the nation, service which saw him recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2008.
South Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher commended both winners for their long-time commitment to supporting Indigenous peoples in South Australia.
Both Eunice and Frank have contributed decades of their lives to improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians," Mr Maher said.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the NAIDOC Awards honour the achievements of those Aboriginal South Australians who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of Aboriginal people in this state.
"Both Eunice Aston and Frank Lampard have shown an incredible level of dedication to their communities, working tirelessly to improve the quality of life and supports available to Aboriginal people living in South Australia," Mr Malinauskas said.
On behalf of all Australians, I commend them for their efforts, and thank them for their ongoing work."
Other finalists for the 2023 Premier's NAIDOC Award included Danielle Smith, Dean Walker, Andrew Wilson, Professor Simone Ululka Tur and Makayla Buse, who received the Dr Alice Rigney Prize, which recognises the achievements of an Aboriginal student in years 10 to 12.
