National NAIDOC Week Awards Celebrate Indigenous Excellence in Leadership and Advocacy
By Editor • August 15, 2026 • 1 min read
The 2026 National NAIDOC Week Awards, held in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), celebrated Indigenous leaders who have made significant contributions to their communities. Among the honorees was the late Rhoda Roberts, who was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her influential work in the arts and cultural leadership.
Roberts, who passed away earlier this year from a rare form of ovarian cancer, was recognized for her role in elevating First Nations voices through storytelling and performance. The awards ceremony paid tribute to her legacy as a visionary cultural leader, particularly for her guidance in major festivals like Garma and Parrtjima.
Pat Turner was named Person of the Year, acknowledging her half-century of advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights. She broke barriers as the first female community welfare officer for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Alice Springs and made history as the first Aboriginal and first female CEO of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). Her recent efforts in negotiating the National Agreement on Closing the Gap further solidified her standing as a respected leader.
Other awardees included Christine Corby, a highly respected leader in Aboriginal health recognized for her transformative work with the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, and Stephen Hagan, known for his advocacy against racial discrimination and efforts to rename offensive public places. Young talents like Caitlyn Costello, Tyson Neal-Edwards, and Kaylene Whiskey also received accolades, along with three group winners, highlighting the diverse achievements within Indigenous communities.
As co-chair Aunty Lynette Riley noted, the awards serve not only to recognize individual excellence but also to honor the enduring legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, reminding all Australians of the rich history that spans over 65,000 years.
Source: www.abc.net.au
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