A smoking ceremony, a cultural performance from Kugang Djarmbi, One Mob and Marring and a Pouring of the Soil Ceremony marked the start of a special evening of celebration at the Local Government Regional NAIDOC Week Awards 2026 on Saturday night.
The event was held at the University of Wollongong Great Hall on 18 July with 480 guests enjoying the awards evening.
This year was Wollongong City Council's turn to host the Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards, which celebrate and promote the achievements of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations based in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. The Awards are a key part of local celebrations for NAIDOC Week, and hosting rights are shared by Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven councils.
"It was such a wonderful evening and the activities, speeches and music really helped mark 50 Years of Deadly in a special way,'' Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said.
"We're so very privileged to have such a talented, dedicated and passionate community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our cities and along the coast who are striving to improve the lives of people in their communities and beyond.''
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald received the Message Stick from Lord Mayor Brown with the 2027 event to be hosted by Kiama Council.
"We thank Wollongong for hosting a great event and we look forward to working with the NAIDOC Awards committee and the local Aboriginal community to prepare for next year's ceremony at The Pavilion in Kiama," Mayor McDonald said.
"We are excited to be taking on the honour of hosting and it's important to remember that these awards are more than just one evening, but an ongoing celebration of culture, and a chance to foster understanding and create lasting connections."
Cameron McDonald receives the Message Stick from Tania Brown.
Kiama High School deputy principal Gordana Sterjovska and Kiama resident Elle Stewart-Reid were among the 13 award winners who were honoured on Saturday night:
Aunty of the Year - Dr Aunty Barb Nicholson
Uncle of the Year - Uncle Peter Button
Community Member of the Year - Dr Justin Cain
Aboriginal Community Volunteer of the Year - Aunty Margaret Mongta
Young Achiever of the Year - Elle Stewart-Reid
Young Achiever of the Year - Emily Hollingsworth
Organisation of the Year (business) - Ripmentoring
Organisation of the Year (Not for profit) - Bars Behind Me
Caring for Country and Culture - Cullunghutti
Caring for Country and Culture - Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation
Outstanding Contribution to Reconciliation (Aboriginal) - Marring
Outstanding Contribution to Reconciliation (Non-Aboriginal) - ECTARC
Outstanding Contribution to Reconciliation (Non-Aboriginal) - Gordana Sterjovska
Kiama Councillor Stuart Larkins, a proud Wodi-Wodi and Yuin man, said he was "so pleased to see Elle Stewart-Reid receiving Young Achiever of the Year as she has been doing so much work in the local Kiama community".
"Congratulations to Gordana on being recognised for her outstanding contribution to reconciliation. Gordana and the team at Kiama High have been doing a lot of fantastic work in supporting students and young people in our region."
Cr Larkins' cousin, Dr Justin Cain, who won the Community Member of the Year award, is a Wollongong resident who did his initial training at Gerringong Medical Practice.
Dr Justin Cain, who won the Community Member of the Year award, with Cr Larkins.
