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.”