NAIDOC 2009 Awards

Honouring elders and nurturing youth was the focus of the flag-raising ceremony at Coffs Harbour Council Chambers on Monday 6 July 2009.

The flag was raised by Councillor Rodney Degens and local elder Trevor Wilson and was used to kick off NAIDOC Week celebrations in Coffs Harbour.

It was also an opportunity to recognise the efforts of individuals with the NAIDOC 2009 Awards.

In Education, the Senior category winner was Jenny Skinner (pictured below) while Clark Webb took out the Junior Category.

In Art and Culture, Elaine Turnbull came out on top and in Sport the winner was Daniel Wilson.

There were several others who received commendations for their achievements in Education, including Rhiannon Mitchell, Leanne Fisher and Elaine Turnbull.

NAIDOC Week 2009 takes place from July 6-11. Other events which will be held this week are an Elders Pamper Day, the Galambila Family Fun Day on Thursday July 9 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans march from 41 Battalion. Duke Street, to the cenotaph in Vernon Street on Saturday 11 July from 9am.

The national theme this year for NAIDOC Week is 'Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth'. The local theme 'Valuing Our Men' will culminate in the Mr NAIDOC Strut on Friday night at the Coffs Harbour Catholic Club. There are three categories - Open, Mature and Elders - so competition will be fierce.

Elder Trevor Wilson

Councillor Degens with the 2009
winners and those who were commended;
Jenny Skinner, Elaine Turnbull, Daniel Wilson,
Leanne Fisher and Clark Webb.