Crowds pile into 2025 edition of Darwin NAIDOC Ball as winners revealed
Around 1000 people attended the sellout 2025 NAIDOC gala ball and awards ceremony, the premier event of the week’s celebrations. Check out all the photos and winners.
Northern Territory
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Around 1000 people attended the sellout 2025 NAIDOC gala ball and awards ceremony, the premier event of the week’s celebrations.
The annual event hosted by Larrakia Nation drew hundreds of attendees to the Darwin Convention Centre with live music from J-Milla, Jaymon Bob and DJ Dhe Man.
J-Milla (Jacob Nichaloff) was also named NAIDOC Youth of the Year.
There was also celebrations of others who have gone above and beyond contributing to their community.
Aunty Annarella Sebbens was named female elder of the year for her trailblazing work as an educator advocating for Aboriginal language to be taught in schools.
Meanwhile, male elder of the year was awarded to Uncle Francis Storer, who is a known advocate of Aboriginal rights and land.
The celebrations went deep into the night with a huge applause for NT politician Yingiya Guyula, who won the lifetime achievement award, and Courtney Bailey who was named person of the year.
It capped off a huge NAIDOC week, which kicked off last Sunday with the Deadly Cup Carnival at TRL Stadium and continued with many events including the annual march on Friday.
AWARD WINNERS
Female Elder of the Year: Aunty Annarella Sebbens
Male Elder of the Year: Uncle Francis Storer
Youth of the Year: Jacob Nichaloff (J-Milla)
Apprentice of the Year: Hailee Espee-Baker
Sportsperson of the Year: Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn
Caring for Country: Lorraine Williams
Artist of the Year: Natalya Kariotis
Scholar of the Year: Matthew Dirrimarra Atu
Lifetime Achievement: Yingiya Guyula
Person of the Year: Courtney Bailey
ALL THE PHOTOS
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Originally published as Crowds pile into 2025 edition of Darwin NAIDOC Ball as winners revealed
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