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NAIDOC Ball & Awards                  

Friday 8 July

The 2016 Wagga NAIDOC Ball & Awards were held on Friday 8 July 2016 at the International Hotel, Wagga Wagga. 

NAIDOC Award Nominees

The Wagga NAIDOC Committee would like to congratulate all of our award nominees for 2016:

Georgina 'Mulla' O'Neill

Aunty Gail Manderson

Uncle James Ingram

Anthony 'Tony' Rudd

Montana Kearnes

Linda Elliott

Aunty Cheryl Penrith

Joseph 'Tim' Humphries

Sally Jo Pearce

Tarnie Brown

Brenda Kerry

Sharada Little

These amazing people were nomiated by their peers, family, friends and colleagues for their dedication and committment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in their chosen fields.

NAIDOC Award Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award: Aunty Cheryl Penrith

 

Cheryl was nominated for her passion, professionalism, friendliness and respect. She is a role model to Aboriginal people and continues to demonstrate success in various fields. She is passionate about the revival and repractising of cultural activities and is often the first to volunteer on community committees. She regularly mentors others and is passionate about nation building, elder abuse, women’s business and the Wiradjuri culture.

Caring for Country Award: Uncle James Ingram

 

James was nominated for his life’s work caring for our country. He regularly volunteers his time for local cultural tours sharing his cultural knowledge with other Aboriginal people and educating non Aboriginal people. He has dedicated his life to the maintaining our cultural heritage and to preserving Aboriginal culture and ensuring we as Aboriginal people and our culture will be sustainable into the future.

Sportsperson of the Year Award: Anthony 'Tony' Rudd

Tony was nominated for his involvement in junior sport for the past 32 years. He is passionate about engaging young people in sport and education and has volunteered many hours and weekends for junior rugby league, touch football and cultural excursions. In 2014, he was nominated for the Coolamon Shire Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award for his work in both the Coolamon and Wagga area in sport and youth mentoring.

Young Person of the Year Award: Tarnie Brown

Tarnie was nominated for having a positive impact on the community both at home and at work. She works with Aboriginal families to assist them with parenting skills, liaising with services and government agencies and works closely with children, encouraging them to learn and achieve. She assists with returning kids in care to their families and is an inspiring role model to younger generations.

Community Person of the Year Award: Brenda Kerry

Brenda was nominated for her work spanning her career with Aboriginal youth and community in general. She was pivotal in developing the Dance Away Violence program with Paul Mumbler to break the cycle of domestic violence in our homes and promote safe messages to the youth of Wagga Wagga. She is seen as a friend to many of our youth and is often called upon as a support person when our people are in need.

 

Brenda invigorated the Tolland Community Centre as she managed it with compassion, empathy and professionalism giving our most disadvantaged community members somewhere to turn to, a place to go to take care of their personal business such as appointments, access to government agencies, computer access and sometimes even just a cup of tea and an ear to listen.

Check out all of the action from the night!

Event styling: Scooter Flowers

Photography: Piedesign

With thanks to our community sponsors and funding partners

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