South Australian State NAIDOC Awards 2010 Winners
Young Female of the Year - Ms Jacqueline Saunders
Elder of the Year (Female) - Mrs Marjorie Anne Tripp
Elder of the Year (Male) - Mr Malcolm Anderson
Apprentice/Trainee/Cadet of the Year - Cherinah Adderton
Scholar of the Year - Thomas Farren
Artist of the Year - Paul Herzich
Sportsperson of the Year - Steven Pepper
Event of the Year - Spirit Festival
Person of the Year (Female) - Marcia Sansbury
Person of the Year (Male) - Christopher Warrior
Premier's Award Winners
Karl Telfer
AMBASSADORS 2010
Roger Thomas
Roger has over 23 years expreience of in the SA Public Service and since leaving there he has continued to work in the Aboriginal Higher Education Sector, including being the Managing Director of Pundalmurra TAFE College in Western Australia. Roger is currently the Professor of Indigenous Engagement and Adjunct Professor of Education at the University of Adelaide and also the Director of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Research and Studies - Wilto Yerlo/CASM.
Roger is currently Chairperson of the Federal Governments Ministerial Advisory Council on Indigenous Higher Education and also a member of the World Indigneous Higher Education Committee whose agendas deal with Indigenous higher education on a global basis.
Dr Alitja Rigney
Alitja grew up in a mission on the Yorke Peninsula during the 1940s. Having completed high school, Alitja set about thinking what she might do for a career. Surprisingly, teaching hadn't even occurred to her. "I wanted to be a doctor, but my school counsellor didn't think an Aboriginal female would be able to achieve in that area at the time. I had role models who were nurses, though - people like Lowitja O'Donoghue and Audrey Kinnear. So I became a nurse." After nursing for a while, Alitja returned to her community and had her first child. This is when she began working as a teachers' aide in mission schools around the area. Realising she had what it took to be a teacher, Alitja obtained a Diploma of Education from the University of South Australia and was quickly snapped up by a mainstream primary school.
In 1985 Alitja became the first Aboriginal person to join the professional ranks of the South Australian Department of Education. The following year she became the first female Aboriginal principal in Australia when she was appointed head of Kaurna Plains School.
Since then, Alitja has been teaching, mentoring and, most importantly, inspiring young minds on the traditional lands of her people, and beyond
Christine Egan
Christine also worked for the Office for Women as Project Officer before starting as Aboriginal Policy Officer for Aboriginal Women's Initiatives until her retirement in 2007. Christine has recently accepted a consultancy position as Indigenous Trainer with Lifeline Australia.
As well as being Chairperson of Tandanya, Christine is also on the Board of Citizen Advocacy South Australia Inc. and is the Secretary on the Executive Committee for the non-profit organisation Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Inc.
Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O'Brien
Lewis originally trained, and then worked as a Fitter and Machinist for thirty years - including some years seeing the world as a Ship’s Engineer. He became involved in many of the early political actions of our Aboriginal community – most particularly the Aboriginal Advancement League from the 1960’s onwards and our first Aboriginal Community Centre.
He continued to be involved in Aboriginal community interests, exerting influence on:
- South Australian Heritage committees,
- the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission,
- SA Jubilee 150 committees,
- The Aboriginal Council of South Australia, and,
- SA Aboriginal Sports and Recreation committees.
NAIDOC SA - 2010 Committee Members
Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division (AARD)
AARD is the South Australian Government's lead agency on Aboriginal affairs matters. Situated in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, AARD supports the Hon Grace Portolesi MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.
Ex-officio representatives from AARD have provided project and executive support to the SA NAIDOC Committee for a number of years. Support includes secretarial duties and involvement in the planning of events.
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet supports the AARD's work on the SA NAIDOC Committee driven by South Australia's Strategic Plan.
The AARD representatives are Andy Robb and Simone Campbells.
Nancy Bates
Nancy Bates is a Barkindji woman who originally hails from the Darling River area of New South Wales. Nancy is currently employed at Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA Inc, as a caseworker for SA Link-Up for which is had a great passion. Nancy is also a singer/songwriter and is respondible for the alter ego 'Aunty Elsie', sister of 'Aunty Betsy'. Her strongest belief is that self change is the key to initiating community change.
Rosslyn Cox
As State Manager of Reconciliation South Australia, Rosslyn works with government, local councils, community organisations and the business and education sectors to promote the principles of reconciliation.
Reconciliation South Australia believed in a united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all. In its broadest sense 'reconciliation' is about bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or Indigenous, and non-Indigenous Australians. Supporting reconciliation means working to overcome the reasons there is division and inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Rosslyn's background is in commerce, bringing sound business practices to value driven organisations. Her previous roles have been in student organisations and the Don Dunstan Foundation.
Richard King - Chairperson
Richard was born in the Northern Territory and comes from three tribal groups Gurrindji/Mudburra and Waanyi. He is married with two children and lived most of his life in South Australia. Richard is a tradesman who also has a Diploma, Degree and Master qualifications and is currently working in Correctional Services where his team works hard to protect and rehabilitate those who are in need of our support and direction.
Richard believes we all have the potential to be what we imagine in our hopes and dreams. Once you know what that is, take one step towards it everyday and one day you will arrive at your destination.
Joyleen Thomas - Secretary
Joyleen is a Kokatha woman with relationships extending across South Australia and the Northern Territory, particularly to the Yunkunjatjara, Arrernte and Arabunna people. Joyleen is a sister to 10 siblings and a mother of two adult children and is looking forward to being a grandmother, but right now is happy to be Nana Jo to her sister's children.
Joyleen has 30 years experience working in the public sector in both State and Federal governments. She has worked in a range of positions and areas, ranging from Employment, Education and Training to the Criminal Justice System. Joyleen is very grateful for all the opportunities over the years to have worked with many wonderful Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people.
Philip Watkins - Treasurer
Philip Watkins was born and raised in Alice Springs NT, Philip is part of large extended Arrernte and Larrakia families. Philip holds a BA in Anthropology and was appointed the Artistic and Cultural Director of Tandanya in February 2006. Prior to this, Philip was employed at the Central Land Council over a twelve year period in a range of field, administrative, policy development and management positions. Philip’s personal and professional background has instilled a strong commitment and sense of responsibility to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are respected and valued.
Dale Agius
Dale has played football for most of his life and has captained the Kaurna football team; he also has been given life membership at the Kilburn football club.
Entering the government through the Aboriginal Employment Scheme and taking up a traineeship with the Department of Correctional Services some years ago. He is currently employed with the Department for Correctional Services in the role of Aboriginal Programs Officer in the Rehabilitation Programs Branch. The work involves working with offenders and promoting the benefits of positive behavioural changes. He is currently enrolled at the University of South Australia, studying a double degree of Psychology and Justice Studies.
Dale believes that it is always important to remember who you are and where you come from. Acknowledging your history will assist you in identifying who you are, it is a positive step in achieving you goals and dreams for your future
Marsha Uppill
Marsha Uppill is a proud Adnyamathanha woman, mother of 2 beautiful boys, Diesel and Banjo, and wife to a fabulous husband, Nick. Marsha is currently employed as the Manager, Workforce Development Aboriginal Health, Department of Health.
Commencing as a trainee with the School of Aboriginal Education in 1990, Marsha's career as a public servant has spanned almost 2 decades and her dedication to her community has been at the forefront of her career journey. Marsha has just completed her post graduate degree in Public Sector Management and has chosen to specialise in Human Resources and Workforce Development as this is an area in which Aboriginal people are hugely underrepresented.
Marsha's enjoys singing, music and acting. But mostly she enjoys teaching and being taught by her beautiful children!
Leann Bonner
Prior to this Leann was employed with Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA as Aboriginal Employment Coordinator to mentor six Aboriginal trainees in PIRSA’s inaugral Traineeship Program which was a rewarding experience to witness the growth and development of six young Aborignal people. Leann also worked for a period of six years with TAFE SA in Aboriginal Education.
Leann enjoys playing tennis, travelling and spending quality time with her family.
Mary Graham
Mary provides cultural consultancy for organisations including government departments, non-profit organisations and educational institutions. Mary believes that
critical self-knowledge is the path for non-Aboriginal people to follow towards more culturally appropriate interactions with Aboriginal people.
Mary is looking forward to the experience of being on the NAIDOC committee as she loves any opportunity to play a role in facilitating and showcasing the achievements and rich culture of her people.
Jasmine Graham
Jasmine is committed in her role to assist non Aboriginal people to develop their skills and knowledge with working effectively with Aboriginal people through developing their understanding and awareness.
Jasmine's work history also includes working at University and TAFE level in Aboriginal Education and has also worked on and been a part of various Leadership Programs, Aboriginal Women and Children’s health promotion and program development.
Kathy Brodie
Kathy is an active participant who is involved in her local council and has strong and active ties with her community. Kathy is committed to working with Aboriginal people and supports the reconciliation progress.
Kathy is currently employed at Tauondi College and enjoys the interaction with staff, students business and the community. Kathy looks forward to celebrating NAIDOC with the community and hopes that she can inspire some younger indigenous individuals to become actively involved in NAIDOC.
Kathy is looking forward to the preparation, development and activities for our 2010 Naidoc program.
Matthew Graham
Matthew has developed links to many Aboriginal communities across South Australia and Victoria through his work, community involvement and in particular through his commitment and passion with Football at State and National levels.
Matthew's work history includes extended service delivery work such as working in Aboriginal Mental Health, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol counsellor roles and also working professionally at a Management level.
| Tandanya NAIDOC 2010 Program |
| 2010 NAIDOC March Running Sheet |
| SA NAIDOC 2010 Calendar / Poster |
