NAIDOC Awards

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:12): My question is for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister inform the chamber about the winners of the 2025 Murray Bridge NAIDOC Week Awards?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his question. As I have mentioned a couple of times in this place, NAIDOC Week is one of my favourite weeks of the year and a really important way to recognise the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across this country but particularly in South Australia.

This year, we celebrated 50 years of NAIDOC as we know it today. This year's theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', not only honoured 50 years of the current NAIDOC tradition but empowered the next young generation of young leaders. As we know, NAIDOC began 50 years ago as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by communities who wanted to build a future with justice and equity. Each year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders are formally recognised for their contributions to their community through NAIDOC Awards. This year there were dozens of individuals across our state who were awarded, including 11 remarkable leaders who are celebrated in the Murray Bridge NAIDOC Awards.

Gordon Rigney took home the Male Elder of the Year award not only for his work at the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service but also as a staunch supporter of his own elders. Gordon, known for his community focus, passion, cultural respect and leadership, thanked his elders and ancestors while highlighting the privilege he feels supporting elders. This tied into his message for the next generation, encouraging younger ones to remember to listen to their elders as they are the ones who led us to where we are today.

Michelle Brown, or Aunty Mush as she is known to those who know her well, was awarded female Elder of the Year, recognising her astonishing 43 years of work in Aboriginal education. Often not immediately visible in a role, Michelle has worked tirelessly advocating for and improving how schools and staff make decisions and provide services for Aboriginal families. Though she has operated behind the scenes, it is wonderful to see her being publicly recognised for this important work.

Female Young Person of the Year went to Willow Sharrad, a musician who uses her music to share her voice and her story to uplift others. Willow has been described as a strong role model who deserves to be recognised for the way she carries herself, supports others and continues to give back to the community in her own unique and beautiful way.

Jacquon Angie pushed out multiple other nominees to receive Male Young Person of the Year Award. He is described as a kind and caring, respectful young man, and participates in the Clontarf Academy Program that runs in schools to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and men build character, life skills and improve their job prospects.

Workers of the year are often awarded to individuals who work within the Murraylands Indigenous community, but this year two professionals were awarded. Kedeisha Kartinyeri of KML Business Solutions was the Female Worker of the Year as one of a small number of qualified Aboriginal accountants around the country. Kedeisha has supported other Indigenous professionals and Aboriginal-owned businesses through public advocacy and involvement with the Australian Centre for Business Growth. Kedeisha was also the first Aboriginal appointee to the board of the State Library of South Australia. Male Worker of the Year was awarded to plumber Kiya McPail, who was described as a consistent, reliable, respectful, honest and humble operator. He has used his opportunity to express his desire to see more young Indigenous people take up trades and provide services to their community.

Sports People of the Year Award was given to Josiah Angie for his success on the football field, after being selected to represent the River Murray association side, as well as the basketball court, playing for the Falcons. Robert Coyne-Beck was also awarded for sporting efforts as a rugby league player representing South Australia at national competitions, displaying his talent and culture at an elite level.

Guided by the 2025 National NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year finalist, Aunty Ellen Trevorrow, Mardawi Aboriginal Corporation took home the Artist of the Year Award as a collective for their work in elevating and professionalising the tradition of weaving. While sharing Ngarrindjeri cultures and story, the team campaigns for representatives and fair wages for artists.

Finally, Zakariyah Sumner and Andre Kropinyeri, two young people between the ages of five and 11, were presented with the encouragement awards. Zakariyah often performs Welcome to Country ceremonies at Mypolonga Primary School or other local sporting clubs and is also part of the design team working on Nunga shirts for their school.

Andre has been described as a leader in the making for his determination both on and off the football field and in the classroom and loves learning cultural practices from his grandfather. It is incredibly inspiring to see young people displaying and educating their communities on their culture, showing that the future is in safe hands. I congratulate all the winners highlighted in the Murray Bridge NAIDOC Awards and look forward to informing the chamber of contributions of Aboriginal people to this state in the future.