Indigenous trailblazer Aunty Muriel Bamblett named 2024 NAIDOC Person of the Year

A fierce advocate for Aboriginal children has been named Person of the Year at the 2024 National NAIDOC Awards in Adelaide.

Indigenous trailblazer Aunty Muriel Bamblett has been named the NAIDOC Person of the Year at this year’s National NAIDOC Week Awards on Saturday.

Held in Tarntanya/Adelaide, the awards celebrate Indigenous excellence and the contributions of First Nations people in their communities.

A Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Boon Wurrung Elder, Aunty Muriel has spent the past 25 years advocating for Aboriginal children and their families.

As the chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency, she has successfully lobbied for changes to Victorian laws which recognise the importance of cultural and community connection for Aboriginal children.

She was one of 28 finalists for the 10 awards, including Female and Male Elder of the Year awarded to Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Millie Ingram and Balladongl/Wadjuk Elder Kim Collard respectively.

TV presenter Narelda Jacobs, comedian Steph Tisdell and actor Rob Collins, the three hosts set to MC the First Nations night of nights in Adelaide. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Meriam woman Aunty Dulcie Flowers received the coveted Lifetime Achievement award for dedicating her life to campaigning for constitutional change for Indigenous people, including during the 1967 Referendum.

Noongar boxer and Olympian Alex Winwood won Sportsperson of the Year with Dante Rodrigues, who was the first Aboriginal kickboxer and Territorian to represent Australia at the Olympics, winning the Youth Award.

Gija performer and Tasmania’s 2024 Young Australian of the Year Naarah won the Creative Talent Award with Alick Tipoti, Tui Nolan and Warlpiri Education and Training Trust winning the Caring for Country and Culture, Education, and Innovation Awards respectively.

The event marked the first major gathering of First Nations people since last year’s referendum with almost 2,000 people in the crowd.

TV presenter Narelda Jacobs OAM, comedian Steph Tisdell and actor Rob Collins, shared the stage as hosts on the night, presenting recipients with their awards.

With this year’s theme being ‘Keep the Fire Burning: Black, Loud and Proud’, Ms Jacobs said she believed it followed last year’s referendum result, but said it was also a “fire” that had been burning for generations.

“We heard, ‘keep the fires burning’ a lot last year in speeches from our leaders throughout the referendum debate, and it speaks to the fires that were lit by our ancestors,” she said.

“It also kinda follows on from the theme of Reconciliation Week and to me, it means to keep the momentum going from last year.

“NAIDOC Week gets bigger and better every year when more non-Indigenous people understand our First Nations culture and history and realise that they are also a part of change.”

The 2024 theme was chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, and honoured the “enduring strength” and “vitality of First Nations culture”.

In many First Nations’ cultures, fire is considered a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Ms Tisdell said the awards this year were “more important than ever”, as First Nations people across Australia are looking to carve another path forward in 2024.

“Considering NAIDOC is about celebrating mob (First Nations communities), it’s more important than ever,” she said.

“It’s the night of nights for blackfellas to get out, get dressed up, celebrate community leaders and for blackfellas, it’s all about community and that’s what NAIDOC is about.

“The National NAIDOC Awards are a reminder that we are still here.”

Originally published as Indigenous trailblazer Aunty Muriel Bamblett named 2024 NAIDOC Person of the Year