The achievements of 10 Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people have been recognised in the 2024 NAIDOC awards, including one women's lifetime of advocating for the health of her people.
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The awards, held each July and this year in Adelaide, recognise the contributions of First Nations people in their communities and celebrate Indigenous excellence.
They are presented by the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
Aunty Dulcie Flowers has spent her life advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's health, and has received the National Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her accomplishments.
The Torres Strait Islander woman started her career in health as a registered nurse, and later helped establish the Aboriginal Medical Centre in Redfern.
Through her work with the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, Ms Flowers played a pivotal role in the 1967 referendum campaign, which advocated for First Nations people to be counted in the census and to be considered part of the Australian population.
Indigenous Australians minister Linda Burney congratulated each of the winners, who were chosen from a field of 28 finalists.
"This year's theme, 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud', is fitting for all the winners. You are courageous, you are inspiring, and you are brilliant," she said.
"This NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate 65,000 years of culture and shared history."
The NAIDOC person of the year is Aunty Muriel Bamblett, a Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Boon Wurrung Elder.
As the chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency since 1999, Ms Bamblett has advocated for Indigenous children to be raised within their own culture.
She has successfully lobbied for changes to Victorian laws to include a recognition of connection of culture and community as critical to the best interests of Indigenous children, and requiring cultural support plans for First Nations kids in out-of-home care.
NATIONAL NAIDOC AWARD WINNERS
* Lifetime Achievement Award: Aunty Dulcie Flowers
* Person of the Year Award: Aunty Muriel Bamblett
* Female Elder of the Year: Aunty Millie Ingram
* Male Elder of the Year: Kim Collard
* Sportsperson of the Year: Alex Winwood
* Youth of the Year Award: Dante Rodrigues
* Creative Talent Award: Naarah
* Caring for Country and Culture Award: Alick Tipoti
* Education Award: Warlpiri Education and Training Trust
* Innovation Award: Tui Nolan
Australian Associated Press
