Proud Arrente and Kalkadoon woman, Rachel Perkins, won the Creative Talent Award at the NAIDOC awards.
Perkins founded Blackfella Films and is best known for producing and/or directing Redfern Now, The Australian Wars, Mystery Road, Mabo, AND First contact.
He won ahead of actor/producer/director Aaron Fa’Aoso and author/playwright Dr. Anita Heiss.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Aunt Dr Naomi Mayers OAM, a Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman, a leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and was an original member of the breakthrough music group, Sapphires.
Aunty (Dr) Lynette Riley AO, Co-Chair of the NAIDOC National Committee said of this year’s awardees: “The high level of nominees made the Committee’s decision very difficult.
“This year, we are delighted to be able to celebrate and share the achievements of so many other First Nations people by not only recognizing the winners in each category, but also the finalists.
“I look forward to seeing what the award winners will achieve, especially those who are early in their careers.”
