News edition for 17 August 2026. Added to Nungya on 22 October 2026 as part of our retrospective news archive. Reporting reflects information available by the edition date.
Education, innovation, creative work, sport and care for Country all appear in the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards winners announced by the National NAIDOC Committee.
The official list, published on 17 August, names Aunty Pat Turner AO as Person of the Year and Aunty Rhoda Roberts AO as the Lifetime Achievement recipient. Elder awards recognise Mrs Christine Corby AM and Dr Stephen Hagan.
Other recipients demonstrate the range of contribution being celebrated. The Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School, known as the Murri School, receives the Education Award. The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy receives Innovation, Southern Aboriginal Corporation receives Caring for Country and Culture, and Kaylene Whiskey is recognised for Creative Talent.
The list also includes Caitlyn Costello for Sportsperson and Tyson Neal-Edwards for the Youth Award.
Taken together, the honours offer more than a roll call. They provide starting points for learning about people and organisations whose work reaches classrooms, creative industries, community life and future generations.
Following the recipients’ own stories is a good next step. The official notice links to further information about the winners, allowing readers to explore the achievements behind each award.
