FIFTY finalists have been announced in the Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards.
The awards are hosted by the City of Coffs Harbour and the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
2025 Finalists
Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award: Steven Skinner, Kerrie-Rae Ellis, Noelene Skinner, Michelle Sinclair, Anau Speizer, Holly Heinz, Dean Kelly, Karly Morris, Cylie Brown, Kevin Dumas, Aunty Narelle Wilson, Lou Bale.
Aunty Award: Aunty Kim Ferguson, Aunty Ruby Holten, Aunty Heather Duncan, Aunty Shirley Duroux.
Uncle Award: Uncle Bryce Filewood (deceased), Uncle Lewis (Lou) Bale, Uncle Kevin (Nobby) Wilson, Uncle Michael (Micklo) Jarrett.
Aboriginal Community Organisation or Business of the Year Award: Nyami Gawbarri, Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC), Waagay Biliinyjarl, Yarrawarra Arts.
Sports Achievement Award: Isobelle Hundt-Taylor, Cara Reeves, Ruby Pade, Adelayde Baker, Taj Wilson, Reef Winkler, Karyle Robinson, Elijah Hart, Dwayne Roberts-Jarrett, Dominic Robertson, Keisha Donovan, Jamelia Yuke, Makailee Close, Ade Kunie Amado-Taylor, Nyah Marr.
Arts and Cultural Achievement Award: Ebony Davies, Jaslene Wilson.
Youth of the Year Award: Ashton Fabian, Payton Bull, Deedee Dickson-Lockwood, Kylandos Lockwood-Flanders, Amos Dootson-Widders, Jaslene Wilson, Aylani Clarke, Layla Cunningham, Cris Singh.
Additionally, Tina Powell and Uncle Richard Widders were nominated for the awards but are ineligible to accept.
The awards will be held in the River Oak Room (Council Chambers) from noon on Monday, 7 July as part of the City’s NAIDOC Week activities.
Other events that day include a flag raising in Gordon St in the morning, guided tours of Yarrila Place, a housing forum and services expo, a photo booth, live entertainment and free coffee and cake.
“All of these events are open to the Aboriginal and to the wider community – it will be all-inclusive,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.
“This year National NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone – 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience.”
The 2025 theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.
The theme honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements and looks to a future empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors.
“It is great to see so many nominations in this year’s Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards, especially in the sports and youth categories after the City reached out directly to local schools,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“The five days of NAIDOC Week activities in Coffs Harbour will be inclusive, and through the awards, will be a chance to formally recognise some of the legends and emerging leaders in our local Aboriginal community
