2023 NT Australians of the Year: Samuel Bush-Blanasi, Bernard Tipiloura, Jahdai Vigona, Sacha King

Four Territorians have been named as the incoming NT Australians of the Year for their commitment to the future of their country, community and people. See who received the honours.

A champion for the voice of remote Territorians has been named as the NT Australian of the Year for 2023.

Samuel Bush-Blanasi was named as the new NT Australian of the Year at the Darwin Convention Centre on Monday, one of four Territorians recognised for their passion and vision for a better future.

Mr Bush-Blanasi has spent decades fighting at the local and national level to empower Indigenous Australians.

The proud Mayili man and artist has been a champion for major land rights claims, bush vote enrolment and remote healthcare, particularly during Covid.

As the Northern Land Council chairman Mr Bush-Blanasi was instrumental in securing sea country rights in Arnhem Land for Traditional Owners and the incorporation in 2022 of the Aboriginal Sea Company (ASC).

Northern Land Council chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The ASC, the first of its kind, was designed to enable Traditional Owners to oversee commercial fishing, aquaculture and other fishing-related activities along the Arnhem Land coastline to provide profitable and sustainable fishing for Aboriginal people.

Mr Bush-Blanasi has also supported native title claims, recently overseeing the historic hand-back of the remaining half of Kakadu National Park to 14 clan estate groups.

Now the 60-year-old Wugularr, Beswick resident will use his voice to again represent the Territory as the 2023 Australian of the Year.

The incoming Territorian Australian of the Year has already made his presence felt on the national stage.

Samuel Bush-Blanasi was named as the 2023 NT Australian of the Year. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Bush-Blanasi has been a vocal advocate of the historic Uluru Statement from the Heart, having helped host dialogues, develop and now an advocate for Constitutional reform.

National Australia Day Council chief executive Karlie Brand said the Australian of the Year awards celebrated “exceptional individuals”.

“(They are) committed to creating better futures – for their country, for community and for people,” Ms Brand said.

More than 60 years separates two proud Tiwi Islands men named as the 2023 Senior and Young NT Australian of the Year.

Tiwi Island Elder and suicide prevention campaigner Bernard Tipiloura was named as the Territory’s Senior Australian of the Year.

The 83-year-old has devoted more than two decades to mental health campaigning in his community.

Mr Tipiloura said the Tiwi Islands had one of the highest suicide rates in the world in 2006, reflecting the impacts of colonisation and deepening problems with “gambling, gunja and grog”.

He and wife Lynette Johnson visited schools each week to encourage young people to be proud of who they were and draw strength from their homeland.

By strengthening cultural identity and connections to Country, Mr Tipiloura oversaw a dramatic drop in suicide rates.

He was a key contributor to the Healing Foundation’s Stories from Community report, showcasing the success of these types of community-led programs.

Mr Tipiloura remains an avid anti-smoking campaigner, volunteered at the Red Cross until the age of 80 and became a kidney donor at the youthful age of 60.

At just 21, Jahdai Vigona is a First Nations community leader and the 2022 NT Youth Round Table chairman.

At just 21, Jahdai Vigona is a First Nations community leader and the 2022 NT Youth Round Table chair.

The proud Tiwi Islands man said he was passionate about improving the lives of Indigenous people, through culturally appropriate health messages and mental health programs.

Mr Vigona has said he believed Aboriginal people are best placed to deliver better health outcomes to Aboriginal communities as they understand the services that are needed.

A Darwin social worker and founder of Two Two One Mental Health Charity, Sacha King, is the 2023 NT Local Hero.

Sacha King set up her own charity in 2019 after she noticed a lack of mental health services in the Northern Territory.

Founder of Two Two One Mental Health Charity, Sacha King. Picture: Che Chorley

Ms King said despite having twice the amount of mental health patients per capita than the Australian average, the Territory had the lowest number of services.

Her Two Two One charity delivers accredited mental health training and community workshops to close gaps in the delivery of mental health services and education.

The 32-year-old also organises events of young people, including the ‘GO (Girls Only) Night’ and the Darwin City Launch.

Ms King also coordinates events for the Annual Mental Health Week, raising money for Mental Health First Aid courses in schools.

All four award winners will be invited to Canberra for the January 25 national Australian of the Year Awards 2023.

Originally published as 2023 NT Australians of the Year: Samuel Bush-Blanasi, Bernard Tipiloura, Jahdai Vigona, Sacha King