NAIDOC week puts spotlight on Aboriginal culture

Naidoc Award Winners  TBW Newsgroup
LOCALS RECOGNISED: A number of Limestone Coast residents connected to the region's Indigenous community have been formally recognised in this year's NAIDOC Awards.
Naidoc Award Winners TBW Newsgroup
LOCALS RECOGNISED: A number of Limestone Coast residents connected to the region’s Indigenous community have been formally recognised in this year’s NAIDOC Awards.

2017 Limestone Coast NAIDOC award recipients

Male Elder of the Year: Uncle Jack Sailor

Female Elder of the Year: Aunty Penny Bonney

Male Elder of the Year: Ken Jones

Apprentice Cadet Trainee of the Year: Cobi Lovett

Caring for Culture Award: Robyn Campbell

Lifetime Achievement Award: Aunty Marie Thornhill

Student of the Year: Gemma Watson

Non-Aboriginal Torres-Strait Islander Award: Sarah McCarthy

Young Leader of the Year: Denzel Carter

Sportsperson of the Year: Terrance Wilfred

Community Member Volunteer Award: Aunty Val Brennan

Arts award: Belinda Bonney

Employee of the Year: Treena Brennan

MANY braved the wintry weather on Friday morning to take to Mount Gambier’s central streets for the annual NAIDOC Week march to Pangula Mannamurna.

Despite winds and a sprinkle of rain, South East residents marched down Commercial Street from the Cave Gardens to the health facility in a show of support to the region’s Indigenous community.

The march wrapped up a week of activities around the region, with the barbecue and family fun day moved to the Commercial Street West site after a heavy dose of winter weather in the days prior forced a move from The Rail.

A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of NAIDOC Week awards were out to Limestone Coast residents recognising their involvement in the local Indigenous community.

Pangula Mannamurna chief executive Andrew Birtwistle-Smith said the community was proud to acknowledge and celebrate this year’s award winners.

“This year’s recipients are clearly dedicated to positive outcomes in all areas of their lives,” Mr Birtwistle-Smith said.

“It is special to see the community recognise and celebrate such achievements and we are all so proud.”