NATIONAL Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week kicked off at Yarrila Place on Monday 7 July.
Hundreds attended the flag raising ceremony, welcoming speeches, and other activities during the morning, which included a Housing Forum and Expo, Aboriginal dancers, guided tours of Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) and the Harry Bailey Memorial Library.
A highlight was the presentation of the Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards with a record 50 finalists marking the 50th anniversary of National NAIDOC Week.
Mayor Nikki Williams said, “The five days of NAIDOC Week activities in Coffs Harbour are inclusive and provide an opportunity to formally recognise some of the legends and emerging leaders in our local Aboriginal community.”
City Planning and Communities Acting Director Luke Perry said, “This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’, so it was particularly pleasing to see so many youngsters involved.”
Deedee Dickson-Lockwood, a respected member of the Bongil Bongil Youth Collective, where she serves in the role of Arts Representative, won the Youth of the Year Award.
Cara Reeves, a passionate advocate for her peers and promoter of the benefits of the Special Olympics movement, won the Sports Achievement Award, and the Arts and Cultural Achievement Award winner was Ebony Davies who has been singing, dancing and acting on stage since age nine.
Ms Davies represented Australia in Atlanta at the “Aussie Allstar” event, has trained with Broadway professionals in New York, and won the “Voice of the Ocean” cruise competition.
The Aunty Award was shared by Aunty Heather Duncan, Team Leader of the Orara High School NASCA Academy (National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy), and Aunty Shirley Duroux, who is heavily involved in cultural and arts activities.
The Uncle Award posthumously went to Uncle Bryce Filewood who was an advocate and mentor for young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students at many schools around Gumbaynggirr Country.
The Aboriginal Community Organisation or Business of the Year Award was shared by Waagay Biliinyjarl, which runs cultural camps and works with youth and carers, and Yarrawarra Arts, one of Coffs Harbour’s cultural icons, which organises exhibitions, workshops and gatherings.
The highest accolade, the Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award, was won Cylie Brown who supports a cohort of young people through the Transition To Work program within Mission Australia.
Mayor Williams said, “I stand in awe of the achievements and application of so many who work tirelessly for their community.”
By Andrew VIVIAN
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