Indigenous stars have swept rugby league's off-field awards highlighting efforts to community and the game at Wednesday's Dally M count.
Tahlulah Tillett, Nicho Hynes and Latrell Mitchell were all handed silverware for their respective work.
Sharks half and 2022 Dally M medallist Hynes took home his second Provan Summons medal in as many years for his gesture to the family of the late Paul Green after being awarded an honour named for the premiership coach.
Green died in August last year.
The 49-year-old played the bulk of his career between Cronulla and North Queensland before coaching the Cowboys to their first premiership in 2015, with best on ground between the two clubs now bestowed the new award.
Hynes handed his medal to Green's children in the sheds following the Sharks win over the Cowboys in April.
The Wiradjuri man backed up his 2022 Provan-Summons award received for his mental health advocacy.
Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell and North Queensland half Tahlulah Tillett were later named 2023 man and woman of the year for their community work.
Mitchell took the Ken Stephen Medal in recognition of his engagement with Indigenous youth, mental health and grassroots footy.
The 26-year-old is heavily involved with his club's Souths Cares charity, is a mental health ambassador for Greg Inglis' Goanna Academy and hosts youth camps at his Taree farm.
Mitchell was not present at the Dally M awards night.
After acknowledgement of her work with First Nations kids and wider efforts in community rugby league, Tillett gave an emotional message upon receiving the Veronica White Medal.
The 25-year-old is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman.
She arrived at the Cowboys from Newcastle ahead of the 2023 season.
"Giving back to the game that has given so much to me is my way of supporting and thanking those who have sacrificed so much to get me here. It's important to me that I use this platform to inspire young people to follow their dreams, particularly the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Rugby league is an incredible driver for uniting people and communities," she said.
She also spoke of her work with her club's Cowboys House, a boarding facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote communities.
"Being a mentor there for the young people, particularly the girls, has been so rewarding and I treasure that they call me their big sister. Our game has the power to change lives…through our shared passion for rugby league. It is it is vital that we use this opportunity to bring our communities together. break down barriers and make a positive difference," Tillett said.
Tillett credited her opportunities to women's footy pioneers like Veronica White.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo called Tillett and Mitchell "incredible players, inspirational people and wonderful leaders in the game".
"Latrell has helped rural towns re-build after a natural disaster, campaigned against online bullying, become a mental health ambassador of the Goanna Academy. He dedicates his all to the community and has made a positive impact on many people's lives," he said.
"Tahlulah has used her own challenges to inspire youth, especially females, to be brave, resilient and to persevere through adversity. She has become a role model and leader in the community."
