NAIDOC Awards announced

THE annual Flag Raising event, hosted by the Wathaurong Co-operative, returned to Geelong as part of the regions NAIDOC Week Celebrations on Monday (July 8).

The event officially marked the start of NAIDOC Week in the region which runs from July 7 until July 14.

Crowds gathered at the Wathaurong Co-operative for the popular event, which also included the announcement of the community awards.

“Our annual Flag Raising Event is a great way to kick off NAIDOC Week,” Wathaurong chief executive Simon Flagg said.

“Seeing Aboriginal people and allies come together to celebrate our own fire burning, and don’t let that flame go out after NAIDOC Week-all of us together need to keep the fire burning for out mob.”

Community NAIDOC Awards were given to person of the year, elder of the year, youth male and youth female of the year.

The award winners included:

Ngarrwa Ngitj (Community Person) – Jurrawaa Stanley

Nedok Yoongga (Elder/Respected Person) – Richard Fry and Lisa Couzens, who were joint winners.

Koolay Goopma (Young Male Achiever) – Isaiah Harrison

Moordeemoondeek Goopma (Young Female Acheiver) – Yalanda Neal-Edwards

The Blak Market also ran at the event, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists, creators and businesses.