Ngarrindjeri role models celebrated at 2025 NAIDOC Week awards
Hundreds have joined in a walk across the old Murray Bridge to an awards ceremony for outstanding achievers from across the Ngarrindjeri nation.
Eleven outstanding Ngarrindjeri role models have been celebrated at an annual NAIDOC Week awards ceremony in Murray Bridge.
More than 300 people walked together across the River Murray, over the old road bridge, and down the city’s main street to its council chambers on Monday morning.
There music played, flags were raised and tributes were paid to Indigenous leaders past, present and emerging in NAIDOC Week’s 50th year, in keeping with this year’s theme: “the next generation: strength, vision and legacy”.
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Elders of the year
This year’s male elder of the year was Gordon Rigney, a life-long supporter of his own elders, most recently through his work at the Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
He was well known for his passion, community focus, cultural respect and for showing “leadership and guidance the Ngarrindjeri way”, MC Phoebe Kartinyeri said.
Rigney thanked his elders and ancestors, and said it was a privilege to support elders however he could.
He had some advice for the next generation, too.
“Remember your elders, because they’re the ones that led us to where we’ve got today,” he said.
“Respect them, love them, cherish them while you’ve got them.”
The female elder of the year, recognised for her 43 years of work in Aboriginal education, was “Aunty Mush” – Michelle Brown.
Though she was not always visible in her role, she worked tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the way that school leaders and staff made decisions and provided services to Indigenous students and their families.
Young people of the year
A musician who uses her voice and creativity to uplift others and share her story was named female young person of the year: Willow Sharrad.
Only a day earlier, she had sung at a NAIDOC Week elders lunch at the Rambler Football Club.
She was also “a strong role model who deserves to be recognised for the way she carries herself, supports others and continues to give back to community in her own unique and beautiful way”.
Multiple nominations were put in for the male young person of the year: Jacquon Angie, a “kind, caring and respectful young man” who attended school every day and gave his best in everything.
Among other things, he is involved with the Clontarf Academy, which helps young Indigenous men build character, develop life skills and improve their job prospects.
He was very humble about his win: “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out here and wasting their time for me,” he said.
Workers of the year
While previous worker of the year awards have often gone to individuals who work within the Murraylands’ Indigenous community, this year two professionals were singled out.
In the female category it was Kedeisha Kartinyeri of KML Business Solutions, one of only a handful of qualified Aboriginal accountants around Australia.
Through writing, public advocacy and her professional involvement with Ngarrimili and the Australian Centre for Business Growth, she supported other Indigenous professionals, Aboriginal-owned businesses and their owners; and was also the first Aboriginal appointee to the board of the State Library of South Australia.
Though she had previously won a national award from Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand, Kartinyeri said the NAIDOC Week award was very special.
“It’s a privilege to come back home and win something like this in front of your home community,” she said.
“I became an accountant because I wanted to give back to our mob … and hopefully over my career I can make some difference.”
Male worker of the year Kiya McPhail, a plumber,was recognised for his consistency, reliability, and for carrying himself with strength and respect.
“In everything he does, from business dealings to community engagement, he leads with honesty, humility and deep respect for culture and people,” the MC said.
McPhail said he would like to see more young Indigenous people getting into trades, providing a service to their people.
Sports people of the year
Recognised for their sporting achievements were Josiah Angie and Robert Coyne-Beck.
Angie was a Jervois footballer who was selected to represent the River Murray’s association side this year, as well as a Falcons basketballer.
He was described as a rising star and a role model thanks to his dedication, determination to work hard and his sportsmanship.
Coyne-Beck, a rugby league player, had represented South Australia at a national competition in Melbourne and had shown talent, spirit and resilience.
He thanked his parents for acting as role models.
Encouragement award winners
Two awards were given out to young people between the ages of five and 11.
The first went to Zakariyah Sumner, who often performed welcome to country ceremonies at Mypolonga Primary School or the town’s sporting clubs, and who was on a team of students designing Nunga shirts for the school.
Also recognised was Andre Kropinyeri, a “leader in the making” who was determined both in the classroom and on the footy field, was improving his school attendence and loved learning about cultural practices from his grandfather.
Artists of the year
The morning’s final award went to a collective, Mardawi Aboriginal Corporation, for their efforts to elevate and professionalise the traditional art of basket weaving.
Under the tutelage of nationally renowned artist Ellen Trevorrow, the team was sharing Ngarrindjeri culture and stories while campaigning for representation and fair wages for artists.
Elizabeth Rankine accepted the award, thanking Aunty Ellen, her parents and elders.
“I love you – I love my people,” she said.
This story originally appeared on Murray Bridge News.
