Nominations open for 2024 NAIDOC Awards
Published on 16 February 2024
Do you know someone from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community whose remarkable contributions or achievements deserve recognition?
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards, hosted by Shoalhaven City Council.
The awards feature six categories including Elder of the Year (Aunty and Uncle), Outstanding Contribution to the Community (Paid and Voluntary), Young Achievers of the Year, Organisation of the Year (Not for Profit and For Profit), Outstanding Contribution to Reconciliation and Caring for Country and Culture.
Non-Aboriginal people are eligible for nomination in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Reconciliation’ category.
The Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards are an annual event designed to celebrate the talents, achievements and outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas. The awards, introduced in 2011, are the result of a collaborative partnership between four councils: Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven.
Mayor Amanda Findley expressed council’s pride in hosting this year’s awards night and encouraged Shoalhaven residents to nominate deserving individuals, organisations and businesses.
“I am sure there are many of us who know people in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community doing great things and I would encourage you to fill out a nomination form to help make sure those people, organisations and businesses receive the recognition they deserve,” Cr Findley said.
A nomination guide and associated nomination can be found online at www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au
Nominations will close at 5pm on Monday, March 18 and the winners announced at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre in Nowra on the evening of Saturday, July 27.
NAIDOC Week will be celebrated across the nation from July 7-14. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘KEEP THE FIRE BURNING! BLAK, LOUD AND PROUD’, honouring the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture.
For more information about the nomination process or to sponsor this year’s awards in Nowra, email communityconnections@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 293 111. A number of sponsorship packages are still available for the prestigious event.