Aunty Pat Turner has been named Person of the Year at the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards in Mparntwe Alice Springs. First Nations leaders, artists and young achievers walked the Blak Carpet, as ten awards were presented recognising achievement across culture, community, education, sport and innovation. The ceremony also marked 50 years of NAIDOC recognition, celebrating generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement.
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Aunty Pat Turner has been named Person of the Year at the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards in Mparntwe Alice Springs.
First Nations leaders, artists and young achievers walked the Blak Carpet, as ten awards were presented recognising achievement across culture, community, education, sport and innovation.
The ceremony also marked 50 years of NAIDOC recognition, celebrating generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement.
First Nations culture, leadership and achievement celebrated in Mparntwe, Alice Springs, as the National NAIDOC Awards mark 50 years of recognition.
Aunty Pat Turner has spent more than five decades advocating for the rights, wellbeing and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Arrernte and Gurdanji woman was unable to attend the ceremony, with Dr Josie Douglas from the Central Land Council accepting the award on her behalf.
“Tonight we gather on Mparntwe Country to honour a truly extraordinary Aboriginal woman, a woman whose life has been grounded in culture, family and an unwavering commitment to our people. It is an enormous privilege and a deep personal honour to accept this award on behalf of Dr Pat Turner, NAIDOC Person of the Year, here on her own country”
Aunty Rhoda Roberts was posthumously honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Widjabul Wia-bal woman from Bundjalung Country was recognised for a lifetime spent elevating First Nations voices through storytelling, performance and cultural leadership.
Her son Jack accepted the award on behalf of the family.
"I think we're going to need a bigger trophy cabinet at home, I just first want to say a big Bugalbeh or thankyou, on behalf of Mum and our entire family - to shine the spot light on a woman so remarkable is just amazing and how blessed we are that we get to call her our mother, and to Mum, you're no longer here physically but you are here spiritually, your presence is felt here in this room tonight and your presence is felt each and every day."
The awards also celebrated those creating opportunities for the next generation.
The Young Indigenous Women's STEM Academy won the Innovation Award for its work supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women from high school through to higher education and graduate employment.
The program's executive manager, Kim Dyball, says the award recognises the young women at the heart of the Academy.
"Your curiosity, courage, ambition, strength, tenacity, and sheer brilliance inspires us every single day. Every time you step into a lab, study mathematics, engineering, conduct research, design something brand new, or pursue a dream that was impossible yesterday, you're showing the next generation what is possible, and that is innovation."
That next generation was also being celebrated on stage.
"And the National 2026 Youth Award goes to... Tyson Neal Edwards"
The Gunditjmara Waddawurrung and Arrernte young man was recognised for his work connecting culture, Country, wellbeing and community.
"Wow, I'm looking back there hoping there's a script up for me but there's not - ha ha yeah look I'm honoured to be here and get this award, it's pretty special to be here and it hasn't been easy for my family but we're a resiliant mob and yeah it's an honour."
Other winners included artist Kaylene Whiskey, Female Elder Christine Corby, Male Elder Dr Stephen Hagan, and Sportsperson Caitlyn Costello.
