My NAIDOC 2015 gratefuls (part two)

2015 National NAIDOC Award winners and secretariat

Indigenous Business Australia NAIDOC Breakfast (Adelaide)

I was thrilled to MC the annual IBA NAIDOC Breakfast in the host city of Adelaide. Held at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, the morning brought together Indigenous entrepreneurs and representatives from Indigenous organisations who were joined by major corporate and governments both nationally and locally.

Speakers on the day included Uncle Frank Wanganeen (pictured above, courtesy IBA), a Kaurna who warmly welcomed us to country. CEO Chris Fry told breakfasters that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Indigenous home ownership program which was a great segue into hearing the story of Ms Sharee Glastonbury (IBA Home Loan Customer).

The keynote speaker and 2014 NAIDOC Person of the Year Gracelyn Smallwood (pictured above, pic courtesy IBA). There were many messages for those attending and sitting here between doing intros I found inspiration as both a (very) small business owner and a homeowner.

NAIDOC March Adelaide

Ok, so I was running late and NO I was not on Koori time, but I managed to burst into the middle of the annual NAIDOC march in Adelaide from Victoria Square to Parliament House. I knew no-one when i started the march (I left my friends behind) and just joined in and made new friends along the way. I was proud to celebrate as a Koori in Nunga country, a Wiradjuri woman on Kaurna land. I’m told it was the biggest march to date and it was great to see so many locals joined by mob from around hte country. Great to be there with Terri Janke below. Terri was NAIDOC Person of the Year in 2011.

2015 National NAIDOC Ball (Adelaide Convention Centre)

Well, of course I love to frock up like Cinderella and get along to the most glamorous black party of the year. It is a night where we take a few hours out to remember our heroes and legends, we reflect on the politics that still engulf our lives, but most importantly we celebrate the achievements of our people, our communities, our lives.

The unstoppable Rosalie Kunoth-Monks was name 2015 NAIDOC Person of the Year and two standing ovations demonstrated the absolute respect and admiration that we feel for an extraordinary woman and leader. The profiles of the full-list of winners can be viewed here.

I’m grateful to John Paul Janke from the National NAIDOC Committee (pictured) with yours truly above) for inviting me to be on his table, which was also a tribute to the late Gavin Jones, founder of the Deadly Awards.

For me the evening was, and always is about the reunions, the love shared with those we rarely see, and the joy we find in a few hours of yarns and dancing. Thank you to my beautiful tiddas Robynne and Terri who made the evening and weekend one to remember forever.