The Inverell NAIDOC Week Community Achievement Awards are held every 2 years with the purpose being to acknowledge and reward the outstanding contributions of individuals across the Inverell Local Government Area (LGA) to their communities.
Eligibility Criteria – All persons nominated for the Inverell NAIDOC Community Achievement Awards must:
- Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Isander
- be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and/or
- be accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. (With the exception of Aboriginal Community Service Award (Non-Identified)).
AND
- Live within the Inverell Local Government Area.
AND
- Be 12 years old or over.
Selection Criteria – A panel made up of a cross-section of community representatives will assess the nominations, and winners will be chosen based on how they demonstrate the following excellence in their nominated category:
- Achievements in working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community;
- Commitment to leadership, service and community;
- The individual`s status as a respected community member and inspirational role model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community;
- The individual’s future goals and their likely impact.
When completing your nomination consider:
- In what area and/or roles has the person excelled?
- Has the person overcome challenges or difficulties to make and reach their achievements? How difficult has their achievement been?
- How has the persons work been focused on helping others and/or making our community a better place?
- How does the person nominated make you proud to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?
- Why should other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people look to the person as a role model?
- What is it about the nominee that makes them inspirational to you?
- How has the nominee gone above and beyond the expectations of their achievements or service?
- How does the nominee show or display their leadership in community?
- If you have any additional material you would like to submit with your application for example newspaper items, photos, newsletters that will support your nomination please attach with this form.
AWARD CATEGORIES
MAJOR AWARDS
- Aunty May Yarrowick Award (Female Specific) – Awarded for outstanding achievement in all aspects of personal and professional commitment and dedication to community.
- Youth of the Year (Male) – Awarded to a young person aged 12-24 years who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of community life.
- Youth of the Year (Female) – Awarded to a young person aged 12-24 years who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of community life.
- Elder of the Year –Awarded to an Edler who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of community life.
GENERAL AWARDS
- Arts Award – Awarded to a community member who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and commitment to the arts.
- Sports Award – Awarded to a community member who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and commitment to sport.
- Education and Training Award – Awarded to a community member who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and commitment to education and training.
- Volunteer of the Year – Awarded to a community member who has made significant contribution to community through volunteering.
- Aboriginal Community Service Award (Identified) – Awarded to an indigenous community member who has demonstrated commitment and dedication towards Aboriginal Services within the Community.
- Aboriginal Community Service Award (Non-Identified) – Awarded to a non-indigenous community member who has demonstrated commitment and dedication towards Aboriginal Services within the Community.
People may be nominated in more than one category. Please complete a nomination form for each category.
Nomination forms to be submitted via email to inverellnaidoc@gmail.com or delivered to Armajun Aboriginal Health Service, 3 Rivers St, Inverell.
Nominations close 4pm Friday 12 June 2026. (Late nominations will not be accepted).
Nominees will be notified of their nomination, and winners will be announced at the NAIDOC Awards ceremony to be held in Inverell on Friday 10 July 2026.
Media Release: Inverell & Tingha NAIDOC Committee
