2026 ​​National NAIDOC Awards finalists announced​

​​The National NAIDOC Committee has announced the finalists of the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards. 

​You can find out more about each finalist on the NAIDOC website.

​Award winners will be announced at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony on Saturday 15 August 2026. 

​Caring for Country Award 

• ​Southern Aboriginal Corporation 
• ​Miromaa Aboriginal Language & Technology Centre 
• ​Girringun Aboriginal Corporation 

​Creative Award 

• ​Kaylene Whiskey 
• ​Molly Hunt 
• ​Brolga Dance Academy  

​Education Award 

• ​The Aboriginal & Islander Independent Community School (The Murri School) 
• ​Ninti Training Ltd 
• ​Aunty Stephanie Armstrong 

​Female Elder Award 

• ​Christine Corby AM 
• ​Regina Pilawuk Wilson 
• ​Aunty Lorraine Peeters 

​Innovation Award 

• ​Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (YIWSA) 
• ​17x16CDP Youth Collective 
• ​Bars Behind Me 

​Male Elder Award 

• ​Dr Stephen Hagan 
• ​Dr Dean Yibarbuk 
• ​Oscar Colbung 

​Person of the Year Award 

• ​Aunty Pat Turner AO 
• ​Timmy Duggan OAM 
• ​Dr Lana Leslie-Henfling OAM 

​Sportsperson Award 

• ​Caitlyn Costello 
• ​Alex Wilson 
• ​Mariah Williams 

​Youth Award 

• ​Tyson Neal Edwards 
• ​Levi Briggs 
• ​Benton Woods 

​Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

​The National NAIDOC Committee has posthumously honoured the late Rhoda Roberts AO with the 2026 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more on the NAIDOC Website.​