The Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards have continued to shine a light on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in the Coffs Harbour region, with eight award winners announced today as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations at Yarrila Place.
Capping a full day of community celebrations, Des Ahoy, a senior health worker with Galambila Aboriginal Health Services, was crowned winner of the prestigious Aunty Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award.
“It’s so rewarding to see better health outcomes for our Mob, to see people come in and get better - it’s a beautiful feeling,” Mr Ahoy said.
“I love meeting and supporting the Mob with education and better information so we can promote early intervention. I do a lot of school screenings for things like hearing and vision.”
The Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards have been going for 26 years and celebrate the positive contributions people make to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in Coffs Harbour. Award winners included:
City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos congratulated the winners and said it was a wonderful reflection on the broader community.
“There were eight winners today, but a record 35 nominations for the awards this year, and that just goes to show how many people and organisations contribute every day to the progress of this community,” Cr Amos said.
“NAIDOC Week is one of the most important dates on the Coffs Harbour calendar and an important time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.”
Today was the first time Coffs Harbour’s NAIDOC Week celebrations have been held at Yarrila Place, with hundreds of people joining in activities such as the official flag-raising, a housing forum, story-time in the library and cultural activities like art and dance.
“Yarrila is the Gumbaynggirr word for brighten or illuminate and so it is fitting that we can now host important community events like this at Yarrila Place, to bring people together and to highlight those who are leading in the community.”
NAIDOC Week, 7-14 July, honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture. This year’s theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’.
Citations on the Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Award winners
Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award - Des Ahoy
Des relocated to Coffs Harbour eight years ago. Originally a Youth Worker, Des began as a trainee at Galambila Aboriginal Health Services four years ago and is now a senior health worker. Des is a kind, caring and supportive man. He is always willing to help the Indigenous community as well as all other communities. He is respected and often goes above and beyond to aid anyone in need.
Aunty Award - Aunty Jenny Skinner
Aunty Jenny is active in the Aboriginal and wider community in Coffs Harbour. Her work with young children and youth, and her service as a mentor and role model are such an inspiration. She needs to be acknowledged for all that she continues to do.
Uncle Award - Uncle Kevin Wilson
‘Uncle Kev’ is a solid, stable influence on the young Aboriginal community of Coffs Harbour. He has facilitated numerous programs that offer them the opportunity to make a different lifestyle and make positive changes.
Aboriginal Community Organisation or Business of the Year Award - Jalay Jalay Dance Troupe
The Jalay Jalay dance company is based on Gumbaynggirr Country and led by Gloria Mercy. Gloria has been passionate about dance and expressing her love of her culture through movement since she was a young girl and now passes on that cultural knowledge to the next generation through teaching.
Sports Achievement Award - Matthew Montgomery and Tigerlilly Green
Matthew is a 13-year-old boy who until recently wasn’t overly interested in sports. He tried soccer and surfing and, although he enjoyed these, they just weren’t for him. Two years ago, he started karate and loved it. He has enjoyed success in learning the moves and is progressing steadily through the belts.
Tigerlilly is a young girl, just 10 years of age, who has worked hard in the past few years in karate and dance. She has always loved dance and has recently settled on tap dance as her chosen genre. Last year she took up karate and has excelled at that also. This year, as part of school sports, she is looking to add soccer to her many talents.
Arts and Cultural Achievement Award - Darryl Lockwood
Darryl dances at a number of events. He always shares a story as well, which takes the audience on a journey of understanding. He shares culture with respect and inclusion in a way that helps bring people together.
Youth of the Year Award - Ace Findlay
Ace is a Year 4 student at Sandy Beach Public School. This year she demonstrated leadership and community spirit by participating in the Starlight Super Swim, raising $2,000 for sick kids through the Starlight Children’s Charity.
Photo: From left to right, Des Ahoy, winner of the 2024 Aunty Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award; his daughter Marlarrah; Leanne Roberts, granddaughter of Aunty Grace Roberts; and City of Coffs Harbour Mayor, Cr Paul Amos.