The NAIDOC Awards are annual Australian awards conferred on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals during the national celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples known as NAIDOC Week.
The awards are named after the committee that was originally responsible for organising the national activities to mark NAIDOC Week, the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Each year, a different city hosts the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony. The host city, National NAIDOC Poster Competition and the NAIDOC Awards recipients are selected by the National NAIDOC Committee. The awards are presented at the annual NAIDOC Awards Ceremony and Ball.
The names of the categories have varied over time. In 1985 Awards for Aboriginal of the Year, and for Aboriginal young people aged 12 to 25 were introduced. The current categories include Lifetime Achievement Award, Person of the Year, Female Elder of the Year, Male Elder of the Year, Caring for Country Award, Youth of the Year, Artist of the Year, Scholar of the Year, Apprentice of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year.
The first NAIDOC poster was created in 1972 to promote 'Aborigines Day' in support of better rights for Aboriginal people. The protest nature of the poster continued until 1977 with titles like 'Self Determination' and 'Chains or Chance' publicising political change and a day of remembrance. The 1978 poster reflected a decision by the recently established National NAIDOC Committee to move from a day of demonstration to a week long celebration in July.
Sportsperson of the Year – Jade NorthFemale Elder of the Year – MaryAnn Bin-SallikMale Elder of the Year – Robert Francis IsaacsPerson of the Year – Goreng Goreng man Professor Chris SarraArtist of the Year – Geoffrey Gurrumul YunupinguYouth of the Year – Elijah DouglasLifetime achievement award – Stephen PageCaring for Country – Manymak Energy Efficiency Project (NT)Scholar of the Year – Layneisha SgroApprentice of the Year – Montana Ah-WonYouth of the Year – Chris TamwoyApprentice of the Year – Ashley FarrallArtist of the Year – Daren DunnPoster competition winner – Elaine ChambersCaring for Country – Warddeken Caring for Country ProjectFemale Elder of the Year – Veronica Perrule DobsonMale Elder of the Year – Graham TaylorLifetime Achievement Award – Tauto SansburyPerson of the Year – Rosalie Kunoth MonksScholar of the Year – Michelle DeshongSportsperson of the Year – Ryan MorichYouth of the Year – Chern'ee SuttonYouth of the Year – Amelia TelfordApprentice of the Year – Patricia DoolanArtist of the Year – Shellie MorrisPoster competition winner – Harry Alfred PittCaring for Country – The Uunguu Healthy Country ProjectLifetime Achievement Award – Linda BurneyPerson of the Year – Gracelyn SmallwoodFemale Elder of the Year – Patricia O'ConnorMale Elder of the Year – Richard ArchibaldScholar of the Year – Donisha DuffSportsperson of the Year – Jesse WilliamsYouth of the Year – Kate MalpassApprentice of the Year – Danny BromotArtist of the Year – Tony BriggsPoster competition winner – Gail NadenCaring for Country – Jimmy EdgarLifetime Achievement Award – Galarrwuy YunupinguPerson of the Year – Darryl KickettFemale Elder of the Year – Rose RichardsMale Elder of the Year – John HaydenScholar of the Year – Dr Mark McMillanSportsperson of the Year – Jonathan ThurstonYouth of the Year – Benson SauloApprentice of the Year – Michael ClinchArtist of the Year – Stephen PagePoster competition winner – Juundaal Strang-YetticaCaring for Country – Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal CorporationLifetime Achievement Award – Bunna LawriePerson of the Year – David WirrpandaFemale Elder of the Year – Margaret LawtonFemale Elder of the Year – Maureen KellyMale Elder of the Year – Hezekiel JingoonyaScholar of the Year – Sarah BourkeSportsperson of the Year – Vanessa WilsonSportsperson of the Year – Joshua RobinsonYouth of the Year – Kiel Williams-WeigelApprentice of the Year – Joshua ToomeyArtist of the Year – Robyn DjunginyPoster competition winner – Matthew HumphriesLifetime Achievement Award – Ned CheedyCaring for Country – Warru Recovery TeamPerson of the Year – Terri JankeFemale Elder of the Year – Carolyn BriggsMale Elder of the Year – Eldridge MosbyScholar of the Year – Professor Lester-Irabinna RigneySportsperson of the Year – Preston CampbellYouth of the Year – Jessica SmithApprentice of the Year – Lucas KickettArtist of the Year – Lewis LangtonPoster competition winner – Sheree BlackleyCaring for Country – Crazy Ant Management ProgramLifetime Achievement Award – Vince CoulthardPerson of the Year – Dennis EggingtonFemale Elder of the Year – Ali GoldingMale Elder of the Year – Ali DrummondMale Elder of the Year – Lester BostockScholar of the Year – Megan DavisSportsperson of the Year – Rohanee CoxYouth of the Year – Gemma BennApprentice of the Year – Danny SebasioArtist of the Year – Wayne QuilliamPoster competition winner – Luke MallieLifetime Achievement Award – Lowitja O'DonoghuePerson of the Year – Larissa BehrendtMale Elder of the Year – Reg KnoxMale Elder of the Year – Frank LampardFemale Elder of the Year – Elsie HeissFemale Elder of the Year – Doris EatonScholar of the Year – Dr Chelsea BondSportsperson of the Year – Andrew McLeodYouth of the Year – Krista MoirYouth of the Year – Angeline BlackburnApprentice of the Year – Amy McQuireArtist of the Year – Les ElvinPoster competition winner – Duwun (Tony) Lee and Laniyuk (Ian) LeeLifetime Achievement Award – Archie RoachLifetime Achievement Award – Joseph EluLifetime Achievement Award – Chicka DixonPerson of the Year – Colleen HaywardMale Elder of the Year – Bob MuirFemale Elder of the Year – Carol PettersonScholar of the Year – Dr Karen MartinSportsperson of the Year – Stacey PorterYouth of the Year – Simone LiddyApprentice of the Year – Hamid Bin SaadArtist of the Year – Leah PurcellPoster competition winner – Tyeli HannahLifetime Achievement Award – John (Jak) Ah KitPerson of the Year – Mark Bin BakarFemale Elder of the Year – Dr Ruby Langford GinibiMale Elder of the Year – Boyd ScullyMale Elder of the Year – Jim Hagan (Snr)Scholar of the Year – Dr Yin Carl ParadiesSportsperson of the Year – Robert CrowtherYouth of the Year – Jo-Anne D'CressArtist of the Year – Warren H. WilliamsPoster competition winner – Charmaine GreenLifetime Achievement Award – Elizabeth Morgan HoffmanPerson of the Year – Stephen Hagan (Jnr)Female Elder of the Year – Judy TatowMale Elder of the Year – Vince RossScholar of the Year – Dr Chris SaraSportsperson of the Year – Patrick MillsYouth of the Year – Joleen RyanArtist of the Year – Kerrianne CoxPoster competition winner – Benjamin HodgesLifetime Achievement Award – Arthur MurrayPerson of the Year – Cheryl BuchananPerson of the Year – Rodney DillonFemale Elder of the Year – Mary Jane WareMale Elder of the Year – Albert HoltScholar of the Year – Simon ForrestSportsperson of the Year – Pam PedersenYouth of the Year – Michael HaydenArtist of the Year – Jirra Lulla HarveyPoster competition winner – Jirra Lulla HarveyPerson of the Year – Aden RidgewayElder of the Year – Merlene MeadMale Elder of the Year – Steve MamScholar of the Year – Kaye PriceSportsperson of the Year – Adam GoodesYouth of the Year – Stacey Kelly-GreenupArtist of the Year – Belynda WaughPoster competition winner – Belynda WaughPerson of the Year – Deborah MailmanFemale Elder of the Year – Violet FrenchMale Elder of the Year – William KennedyScholar of the Year – Frederick PennySportsperson of the Year – Bo DelacruzYouth of the Year – Bruce 'Borro' JohnsonApprentice/Trainee of the Year – Michelle TyhuisPoster competition winner – Juundaal Strang-YetticaPerson of the Year – Steve GordonMale Elder of the Year – Lyal Munro Snr and Peter Coppin (Joint Winners)Female Elder of the Year – Ida WestScholar of the Year – Tracey WestermanSportsperson of the Year – David PeachySpecial Achievement Award – Dr Shane FernandoYouth of the Year – Vanessa ElliotApprentice/Trainee of the Year – Todd PhillipsPoster competition winner – Marika BaumgartPerson of the Year – Kutcha EdwardsFemale Elder of the Year – Alice 'Mummy' ClarkMale Elder of the Year – Cec FisherScholar of the Year – Dr Cheryl Kickett-TuckerSportsperson of the Year – Warren LawtonYouth of the Year – Marie DennisApprentice/Trainee of the Year – Alison GearArtist of the Year – Jimmy WavehillPoster competition winner – Cecily WellingtonPerson of the Year – Anthony MundineFemale Elder of the Year – Yvonne AgiusMale Elder of the Year – James RiceScholar of the Year – Marlina WhopSportsperson of the Year – Troy MurphyYouth of the Year – Samantha Cook and Jeremy Geia (Joint Winners)Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Gary BonneyArtist of the Year – Wenten RubuntjaPoster Competition Winner – Warick KeenPerson of the Year – Bob RandallMale Elder of the Year – Geoff ShawFemale Elder of the Year – Zona MartinScholar of the Year – Tracey BrandSportsperson of the Year – Nicky WinmarYouth of the Year – Nicole Casser and Delson Stokes Jnr (Joint Winners)Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – June DjaigweenArtist of the Year – Raymond BlancoPoster Competition Winner – Ray ThomasPerson of the Year – Patrick Dodson and Mick Dodson (Joint Winners)Male Elder of the Year – George MyeFemale Elder of the Year – Queenie McKenzieScholar of the Year – Raymond (Jack) GibsonSportsperson of the Year – Ali DrummondYouth of the Year – Kyle MorrisonApprentice/Trainee of the Year – Kasey WehrmanArtist of the Year – Ron CorbettPoster Competition Winner – Eleanor BingePerson of the Year – Ray RobinsonMale Elder of the Year – Eric WalkerFemale Elder of the Year – Una WalkerScholar of the Year – John Williams MozeleySportsperson of the Year – Kasey WehrmanMiss NAIDOC – Vicky HextallYouth of the Year – Yvonne MarikaApprentice/Trainee of the Year – Jade JohnsonArtist of the Year – Jonathon BrownPoster Competition Winner –Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year – Tauto SansburyElder of the Year – Freda WinmarScholar of the Year – Jill AbdullaAboriginal Sportsperson of the Year – Derek KickettMiss National NAIDOC – Nevanka McKeonYouth of the Year – Timothy LilleyApprentice of the Year – Robert HudsonPoster competition winner – Ian Wallan HillAboriginal of the Year – Reg BlowArtist of the Year – Richard MulletScholar of the Year – Graham AtkinsonSportsperson of the Year – Rohan BestYouth of the Year – Vanessa FitzgeraldApprentice/Trainee of the Year – Darren BraydonArtist of the Year – Rex MurrayPoster Competition Winner – Dale Huddleston and Scott TowneyPerson of the Year – Ernie DingoScholar of the Year – Rosie SmithSportsperson of the Year – Kyle Vander KuypAboriginal of the Year – Charles PerkinsScholar of the Year – Glenda KickettYouth of the Year – Shane SimpsonApprentice of the Year – David PidekArtist of the Year – Danny Eastwood and John Harding (joint winners)Poster Competition Winner – Heather ShearerAboriginal of the Year – Mrs Geraldine BriggsScholar of the Year – Natalie BarneySportsperson of the Year – Robert PedenAboriginal of the Year – David WowaljarlaiJunior Award – Les Ritchie-CorlettPoster Competition Winner – Ron HurleyAboriginal of the Year – Shirley Smith (Mum Shirl)Aboriginal of the year – Jimmy LittleYouth of the Year – Cain MuirApprentice of the Year – Shaun ThompsonArtist of the Year – Ramingining Artists CommunityPoster Competition Winner –Aboriginal of the Year – Alice KellyScholar of the Year – Ron JamesSportsperson of the Year – Tony CurrieYouth of the Year – Ron IngramApprentice of the Year – Alanna SpeedyArtist of the Year – Jack WunuwunPoster Competition Winner – Lawrie NilsenAboriginal of the Year – Sister Joan WinchAboriginal Scholar of the Year – Norma JoshuaAboriginal Sportsperson of the Year – Catherine HillardApprentice of the Year – Thomas WearArtist of the Year – James AgiusPoster Competition Winner –Aboriginal of the Year – Cathy MillsScholar of the Year – Ms Eve FeslSportswoman of the Year – Phynea ClarkeSportsman of the Year – Warren LawtonApprentice of the Year – Lester RigneyArtist of the Year – Justine SaundersPoster Competition Winner –Aboriginal of the Year – Kath WalkerScholar of the Year – Rhonda DadlehSportsperson of the Year – Kyle Vander Kuyp