Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre was planned in collaboration with many Aboriginal people, including the traditional owners of Melbourne, the Boon Wurrung and the Woi Wurrung. The name Bunjilaka was chosen as it means 'the place of Bunjil', evoking a sense of ongoing creation. This was the venue for this year’s Vic NAIDOC Awards 2022.
The Victorian NAIDOC awards is about celebrating hard work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, and the contributions they have made to the Victorian community. This year Viv NAIDOC introduced a NEW award, "CARE FOR COUNTRY".
This year’s award categories were:
NAIDOC Patron (Open to all over 50 years), Mr NAIDOC (Must be 18 – 24 years), Ms NAIDOC (Must be 18 – 24 years), NAIDOC Sportsperson (Must be over 18), Mx NAIDOC LGBTIQA+ (Must be over 18) and NAIDOC Care for Country (Must be over 18).
Last night at Bunjilaka we witnessed, Resilience, Pride, Truth telling, Respect and Celebration. The stories shared resonated around the room to those attending from youth to elders ending in applause and admiration.
Welcome to Country was by Sue-Anne Hunter. Judges for these awards were Aunty Pam, Uncle Jack and Benny Clarke with MC for the night being Candace Williams who did an outstanding job, being it was her time in this position. Entertainment by Grant Hansen and Bradley Brown who played some BlackFire classics including new songs from Grants latest album, “Kool Mist”….Too Deadly.
WINNERS were:
Ms NAIDOC: Naomi Bamblett, Mr NAIDOC: Yemurrki Egan, Sportsperson: Nikita Rotumah
Care for Country: Stevie-Lee Ryan, PATRON: Henry Atkinson.
KoolnDeadly 3KND were proud to broadcast live across the country this year’s awards and Congratulate all the finalists and Winners. (GET UP – STANDUP – SHOW UP)