Giving, doing, caring, achieving, service: all words that headline the reasons behind the biennial Inverell and Tingha NAIDOC Awards. Nominated by community, the awards were presented at a gala night on Friday, 6 September to a full house at the Inverell RSM Club.
NAIDOC Week is traditionally celebrated during the second week of July, but the district’s First Nations Community has borne the weight of grief from months of Sorry Business. In response, the Inverell NAIDC Committee made the decision to postpone this calendar event in consideration of the mourning which continues to impact the community and committee members.
With deep respect, and consultation, the committee moved to finally hold the awards, and the community responded with enthusiasm.
Inverell NAIDOC Committee chair Tabatha Jerrard was part of those conversations, and said the committee held back promoting the night making it happen in light of disrespecting the weight felt by deep losses within families and loved ones. She was glad people had a chance to come together and celebrate.
“This is our little moment for the communities, for everyone,” she reflected.
“So take a deep breath and realise and remember that small things are just as important as the big things, and tough times can’t keep us down.”
Tabatha was happy with the turnout, which filled every table in the room.
“I am very pleased. With the amount of Sorry Business we’ve had within our communities and all surrounding areas, to get more than 50 was way above what we expected, so we’re very pleased,” she said.
“It’s important because our communities need it at the moment. We’ve got to recognise the hard work, commitment and dedication that the workers and community members put in so that things can happen for our communities, both for the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal arena.”
The Inverell committee first held the awards presentations in 2014. The district is invited to put forward individuals in several categories who have exhibited and excelled with their service, talent. This includes awards for youth, men, women, non-Aboriginal community members, Elders, educators, carers, and the perpetual Aunt May Yarrowyck Award for Commitment and Dedication towards Aboriginal Services.
This year’s presentation night opened with Tingha Elder Aunt Sue Blacklock giving the Welcome to Country, and her son, Uncle Clayton Blacklock offering a prayer for the night. From there, attendees were treated to two dances by Bob Blair, and an impromptu dance by attendee Kylie Saunders.
Committee member Kerrie-Anne Dettmann emceed the night, and invited community members Uncle Greg Livermore, Uncle Tommy Campbell, Uncle Dick Blair, Aunt Isabel Williams, Bridgette Jerrard, and Aunt Sue Blacklock to present the awards.
The 2024 Inverell and Tingha NAIDOC Awards recipients are:
Arts Award: Darren Blair
Art Exhibition Award: BEST Community Connections
Sports Award (Male): James Sheather
Sports Award (Female): Jekarra Landsborough
Commitment and Dedication towards Aboriginal Services within the Community Award (Indigenous): Brandon Livermore
Commitment and Dedication towards Aboriginal Services within the Community Award (non-Indigenous): Megan Walsh
Education and Training Award: Bronwyn Campbell
Volunteer of the Year Award: Kelvin Brown
Youth of the Year Award (Female): Jekarra Landsborough
Youth of the Year Award (Male): Jalen Cutmore
Elder of the Year Award: Elaine Williams
Aunt May Yarrowyck Award: Tabatha Jerrard
As the conversations and laughter rang around the room, committee secretary Brandon Livermore reflected on the importance of the night.
“It’s important, coming together and celebrating the achievements of community, and the ones who’ve been nominated, and recognising what they’ve been able to do in the community,” he said.
“I think just sitting back and seeing everyone mingling, smiling, talking – we’ve had a lot of Sorry Business this last couple months, so it’s good to sit back and see everyone enjoy their night – and dress up, which is good.”
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