National NAIDOC Week Awards finalists announced

Callan Morse Published June 20, 2024 at 5.00pm (AWST)

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Auntie Dulcie Flower will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's NAIDOC Week Award's Ceremony, recognising her lifetime of advocacy for Aboriginal people. (Image: National NAIDOC Secretariat)

Finalists for this year's national NAIDOC Week awards have been announced by the National NAIDOC Committee.

The 27 finalists span 10 categories, each recognising Aboriginal excellence from a variety of fields.

Award nominees include Aunty Dulcie Flower, who has been selected as this year's Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.

A Miri woman from the Torres Strait Islands, Auntie Dulcie has been a longtime Aboriginal activist, involved in organisations including the Aboriginal Progressive Association and Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

She has spent a lifetime campaigning for constitutional change for Aboriginal people, including during the 1967 Referendum, as well as fighting for equal wages, health, land rights and against discrimination.

National NAIDOC Committee co-chair, Steven Satour acknowledged Aunty Dulcie's legacy.

"This NAIDOC we celebrate the incredible legacy of Aunty Dulcie Flower, a beacon of strength, wisdom, and cultural resilience," Mr Satour said.

"Her unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Indigenous culture has left an incredible mark on our nation. Aunty Dulcie's lifetime of advocacy, leadership, and community empowerment embodies the true spirit of NAIDOC.

"This award is a testament to her tireless efforts in championing Indigenous rights and fostering reconciliation. She is a true inspiration to us all."

Person Award Finalists include Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency CEO Muriel Bamblett, Deadly Runners founder Georgia Weir and Bracks Indigenous clothing founder Bianca Brackenridge.

This year's Female Elder Award finalists are Aunty Flo Watson, Aunty Glendra Stubbs and Aunty Millie Ingram with Male Elder Award finalists being Dr John Reid, Kim Collard and Klynton Wanganeen.

In reflecting on this history of Australia's First Nations peoples, NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair, Dr Aunty Lynette Riley congratulated this year's finalists for epitomising this year's NAIDOC Week theme.

"When I think back to the first calls to arms by our old people to challenge the Centennial Celebrations and to let the world know we have survived and held our ground for sovereignty in this Country, I know they knew the struggles were just starting and would continue for many generations," Aunty Lynette said.

"The people who have been nominated and recognised as finalists in all our NAIDOC categories, epitomise the ongoing fight for rights and demonstrate our ongoing excellence.

"I am in awe of all our people's strengths, perseverance and congratulate them all for 'Keeping the Fires Burning'".

The National NAIDOC Committee said the exceptional individuals selected as category finalists "represent the values of NAIDOC", the annual week-long celebration that proudly showcases the achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across the country.

The 2024 National NAIDOC Week Award winners will be announced at the National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony to be held in Tarndanya/Adelaide on Kaurna Yerta (Country) on Saturday 6 July.

National NAIDOC Week Awards finalists

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Aunty Dulcie Flower

Person Award finalists

Muriel Bamblett, Georgia Weir, Bianca Brackenridge

Female Elder Award finalists

Aunty Flo Watson, Aunty Glendra Stubbs, Aunty Millie Ingram

Male Elder Award finalists

Dr John Reid, Kim Collard, Klynton Wanganeen

Youth Award finalists

Dante Rodrigues, Piper Stewart, Ieyesha Roberts

Innovation Award finalists