The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, has congratulated the winners of the 2025 NAIDOC Awards.
The winners were announced tonight at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony in Perth, ahead of NAIDOC Week celebrations across the country.
This year marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week celebrations, this year’s NAIDOC Week theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.
The NAIDOC Awards recognise individual excellence and celebrate the strength, culture and leadership of First Nations people.
The National NAIDOC Committee considered more than 200 nominations before selecting the exceptional finalists and winners of the 2025 Awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr Michael Long
Person of the Year Award: Dr Daniel Hunt
Female Elder Award: Aunty Rosalie Kickett
Male Elder Award: Uncle Harry Phillip Hall
Sportsperson Award: Miss Danielle Ponter
Youth Award: Miss Anika Gosling
Creative Talent Award: Ms Christine Anu
Caring for Country and Culture Award: Wadjemup Project Steering Group
Education Award: Professor Eddie Cubillo
Innovation Award: Blak Brews
To learn more about the 2025 NAIDOC Awards winners and finalists, and how you can celebrate NAIDOC Week, visit www.naidoc.org.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“This year’s NAIDOC celebrations mark an incredible achievement – 50 years of celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture through a week of activities.
“There is no better way to recognise the strength, vision and enduring legacy of past generations than by celebrating the achievements of exceptional individuals at the NAIDOC Awards.
“I congratulate the finalists and winners for their remarkable achievements and for exemplifying the true essence of NAIDOC Week.”
Quotes attributable to National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair, Aunty (Prof) Lynette Riley:
“50 years of NAIDOC fills me with pride. I see so much strength and heart in our communities, especially in our young people who are stepping up with purpose.
“Our finalists and winners truly inspire me. Their passion, their vision, and their deep love for culture give me real hope for the future we’re all working towards together.”
Quotes attributable to National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair, Steven Satour:
“The achievements celebrated tonight are a powerful reflection of our strength, our culture, and our future. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners, you make our communities proud.
“This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, lives in every story we’ve celebrated tonight.”