The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, is proud to congratulate the winners of the 2023 NAIDOC Awards, announced tonight in Brisbane, ahead of NAIDOC Week celebrations taking place around the country from 2-9 July.
The National NAIDOC Committee considered close to two hundred nominations before selecting the talented finalists and finally, the winners of the 2023 Awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award Aunty Dr Naomi Mayers OAM
Person of the Year Award Professor Kelvin Kong
Female Elder of the Year Award Aunty Dr Matilda House-Williams
Male Elder of the Year Award William Tilmouth
Sportsperson of the Year Award Donnell Wallam
Youth of the Year Award Courtney Burns
Creative Talent Award Rachel Perkins
Caring for Country and Culture Award Lala Gutchen
Education Award Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
Innovation Award Daniel Motlop
To find out more about the 2023 NAIDOC Awards winners and nominees, and how you can celebrate NAIDOC week, go to NAIDOC
Quotes attributable to Minister Burney:
“The National NAIDOC Awards ceremony in Brisbane was a wonderful celebration of Indigenous excellence.
“The NAIDOC Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of all the incredible finalists and nominees.
“I encourage all Australians to participate in NAIDOC Week and join the celebrations wherever you are.”
“This year’s theme, For Our Elders, is an opportunity to honour our Elders who have worked tirelessly to have the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people heard.
“It is because of their advocacy and activism that we can come together as we head towards the referendum for Voice - a watershed moment in Australia’s history.”