Crowd sells out 2023 NAIDOC Woolworths Gala Ball and Awards Ceremony

The best of Territory fashion was on show for the ‘premier event’ of the NAIDOC week calendar - the gala ball and awards ceremony. See all the pictures and the full list of winners.

Hayden Mischefski, Natasha Maassenvandenbrink, Daniel Yalle and Megan Elgar. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A sold-out crowd celebrated the end of NAIDOC week at the 2023 gala ball and awards ceremony on Saturday night.

Touted as the “premier event” of Darwin’s NAIDOC calendar, the event was held at the Darwin Convention Centre and hosted by Larrakia Nation.

Attendees got to enjoy a an opening performance by The Youth Mill as well as a fashion parade by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation and numerous awards presented on the night.

AWARD WINNERS

Female Elder of the Year: Aunty Barbara Nasir

Male Elder of the Year: Charlie King OAM

Youth of the Year: Carlito (Dante) Rodriguez

Apprentice of the Year: Michaela Espie

Sportsperson of the Year: Skye Lampton

Caring for Country: Anthony Alley

Artist of the Year: Denise Quall

Scholar of the Year: Kim Robertson

Lifetime Achievement: Regina Bennet

Person of the Year: Myra Fordham

Scroll down for pictures from the 2023 NAIDOC Woolworths Gala Ball.

Jessica Peris and Joan Peris at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mathias Paul and Rychelle Vines hit up the red carpet. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sh’Keah Rickard and Jasmine Duturbure at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Myra Fordham and Samuel Fordham cheers to a successful NAIDOC week. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Caitlin Brindley, Nicole Douglas, Anita Carver and Adrian Sullivan from Northern Land Council. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ty Nakata and Sharna Alley on the red carpet at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tessna Dwyer, Denise Quall and Jessi Allen-Shaw strike a pose. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Lorraine Randall and Teegan Wattam attended the NAIDOC gala ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kay Gehan at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ethan Savage and Jess Alderton. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Charlie King, Jayne Lloyd and Emma King at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

2023 NAIDOC Ball kicked off with a performance by The Youth Mill. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Karan Singh, Ekagarta Singh, Polly Lamond, Sharon Roulston, Sarah Trinder and Isabelle Chin-Quan at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Shaneen Tilmouth, April Briskin, Cindell Cray, Emily Bonson and Natasha O’Connell put on their fancy dresses for the NAIDOC ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Danielle Bates and Peter Raymond pose for a photo at the ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The event was a sell out. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Aron Kurzydlo and Allanah Kurzydlo at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sarah Ladd, Merran Neilsen, David Yap and Amelia Noble were musical guests at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Rekeesha Fry, Liz Cruse, Jade Ritchie and Anisha Damaso. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Scott Bowman, Anita Bowman and Lynda Davis wore their finest kit for the gala. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ingvar Dyrting, Tanyah Nasir, Bernadette Shields and Jaiden McGregor. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kylie Climie, Ian Jackson and Carmen Mitchell were all smiles. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kym Kepple, Kaima Kabere, Vanessa Lee Cheu, Yelma Tsang, Michaelyn Waia and Chanika Stack at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The gala ball and awards ceremony has been considered the premier event of the NAIDOC calendar. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Aunty Cynthia Jorrock, Aunty Helen Fejo-Frith, AM and Associate Professor Emma-Jaye Gavin were among the guests of honour. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Raelene Collins, Dr Sean Taylor, Dr Tom Hatch, Helena Warria and Royce Ramsamy at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

David Atkinson and Brenda Atkinson at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Members of the Department of Education at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jason Jones, Paul Kirby, Jerome Cubillo and John Rownsley at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Clint Freeman Group had representatives at the Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jody Dixon, Hal Hart and Sharon Greenoff at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Michael Rotumah and Fotini Rotumah at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Dr Richard Fejor ready to enjoy the festivities of the NAIDOC gala ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Paul Flinn at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jason Rogers, Melita Mckinnon, Janet Watson, Jeff Watson, Rob Prior, Naomi Martinson, Meg Mcdougall, Andy Mead and Jim Mcdougall. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kaelisha Ledwidge and David Edgar at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tehanee Ansell, Taylah White, Michaela Espie, Chyna Mayo and Hailee Espie-Baker. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Pearl Bonson, Naomi Anstess and Lilli Bonson take a snap before entering the Darwin Convention Centre event. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Di Ambyrum-Rollo and Micheal Rollo at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Henrietta Hunter, Rosie Hunter, Bernie Hunter and Teletha Hunter. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jaylene Budd and Marcia Campbell from Ironbark Services NT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Barbara Tapsell, Cherry Cubillo, Maureen Wanganeen, and Barney Quall. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Naomi Anstess and Jerome Cubillo at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Susie Williams and Gina Smith at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kasiani Kalikazaros and Barbara Baugh in their best dresses for NAIDOC week. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Norman Hagan and Sharon Ah Mat at the 2023 NAIDOC Ball. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin