NAIDOC Awards

The Hon. M. EL DANNAWI (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister inform the council about the nomination process for the Premier's NAIDOC Award?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for her question and her interest in this area. I have previously informed the chamber about awards received by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for their commitment to their community and excellence in what they do in South Australia. The Premier's NAIDOC Award event is always a highlight certainly in my calendar and many other people's calendars and is one of the pinnacle events during NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week is a celebration each year of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is filled with events that showcase and commemorate the contributions and exceptional First Nations people today and throughout our history. The theme of NAIDOC Week is 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud', which aims to honour the enduring strength and vitality of the First Nations culture.

Each year, the Premier's NAIDOC Award is presented now to both a male and female winner, each of whom has made a significant difference to the lives of Aboriginal people in South Australia through their work. Previous winners of this award include Aunty Eunice Aston and Uncle Frank Lampard, last year in 2023, for their work in the respective fields of health care, corrections and veterans affairs, and the year before, in 2022, to Jeffrey Newchurch and Kunyi June Anne McInerney for their strong community leadership and also their contribution to the arts respectively.

Nominations opened last week for this year's prizes, both for the Premier's Award and for the Dr Alice Rigney Prize, which is awarded to an Aboriginal student in the later years of high school, years 10 to 12, who has demonstrated dedication to their education. Nominations will close on Friday 31 May before the winners are announced at the Premier's NAIDOC lunch in July. I look forward to hearing of the invaluable work of those who are nominated and those who are successful in celebrating their achievements when the winners are announced. I will certainly take the opportunity to inform the chamber of the excellent work of the individuals who are eventually the winners of those awards.