Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards
The Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and organisations making a positive difference in local community life.
The awards commemorate Aunty Grace Roberts who worked tirelessly for her community and is recognised for her leadership and guidance. They have been running strong since 1998, proudly presented by the City of Coffs Harbour and the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
The 2026 award ceremony will be held during NAIDOC Week on Monday 6 July.
Nominations are open now!
Do you know a First Nations person, organisation or business achieving great goals and working hard for fellow community members?
Show your appreciation and nominate them for a Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Award. You don’t have to be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to nominate someone for an award, but the person you nominate does.
Past award recipients
Congratulations to all 2025 award recipients.
Aunty Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award
Cylie Brown: Cylie supports a cohort of young people through the Transition to Work program within Mission Australia.
Aunty Award
Aunty Heather Duncan and Aunty Shirley Duroux: Aunty Heather is the Team Leader of the Orara High School NASCA Academy (National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy), and Aunty Shirley is heavily involved in cultural and arts activities.
Uncle Award
Uncle Bryce Filewood (deceased): Uncle Bryce was an advocate and mentor for young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students at many schools around Gumbaynggirr Country.
Aboriginal Community Organisation or Business of the Year Award
Waagay Biliinyjarl and Yarrawarra Arts: Waagay Biliinyjarl runs cultural camps and teaches culture and history working with youth and carers. Yarrawarra Arts is one of Coffs Harbour’s cultural gems, organising a program of exhibitions, workshops and gatherings.
Sports Achievement Award
Cara Reeves: Cara is a passionate advocate for her peers, promoting the benefits of the Special Olympics movement.
Arts and Cultural Achievement Award
Ebony Davies: Ebony has been singing, dancing, and acting on stage since age nine. She represented Australia in Atlanta in the ‘Aussie Allstar’ event, has trained with Broadway professionals in New York and won the 'Voice of the Ocean' cruise competition.
Youth of the Year Award
Deedee Dickson-Lockwood: Deedee is a natural leader, and an active and respected member of the Bongil Bongil Youth Collective where she serves in the role of Arts Representative.