City of Coffs Harbour Council has announced the opening of nominations for the annual Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Awards which celebrate inspirational Indigenous leaders in the local community.
The awards, across a range of categories, will be announced in NAIDOC Week in July, and come after a record 50 nominations were made in 2025.
“These awards began back in 1999 and the community interest in them has grown steadily,” said Mayor, Nikki Williams.
“The overall winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at Yarrila Place on July 6 but right now we just want to see as many nominations as possible.”
Nominations are invited in the following categories (non-Aboriginal people can nominate an Aboriginal person or organisation):
- Aunty Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award
- Aunty Award
- Uncle Award
- Aboriginal Community Organisation or Business of the Year Award
- Sports Achievement Award
- Arts and Cultural Achievement Award; and
- Youth of the Year Award.
This year’s theme for NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day of Observance Committee) is ‘50 Years of Deadly’.
Presented by the Council in partnership with the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee, the 2026 Awards recognise community members who lead by example and contribute to stronger community connections and improved quality of life for First Nations people across the Coffs Harbour region.
Featuring the Aunty Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award, the awards honour the legacy of Aunty Grace, who worked tirelessly for her community and is remembered for her leadership, guidance and lasting impact.
Coundil Planning and Communities Director, Ian Fitzgibbon said a flag-raising ceremony and the awards on 6 July would kick-off a string of events to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
“The Monday will be massive with a morning tea, lunch, lucky door prizes and the Jalay Jalay dancers all here at Yarrila Place,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“We hope for a good line-up of stall-holders in Riding Lane including the Elders, bush tucker plants and Will kits.
“Plus there will be talks on the City’s Homelessness strategy, the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the draft Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy.”
A tour of the Coffs Harbour Airport which includes a number of areas of significance for the Gumbaynggirr people is also planned for Friday 10 July.
To nominate, visit here.
