The Douglas Shire’s first-ever NAIDOC Gala and Awards Evening was held on Friday and have been hailed a roaring success with several dedicated community members honoured on the night.

The awards night was organised by the newly formed Douglas Shire Indigenous Events Committee who also put on a jam-packed week of events preceding the Gala for Douglas Shire’s NAIDOC Week 2021.

Indigenous Events Committee member Kirsty Burchill said the event went even better than expected.

“It was an absolute success. The night created self-love, empowerment and really highlighted the hard-working people in our community,” she said.

120 guests donned their finest for the sold-out event hosted at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas.

Ms Burchill said she was blown away by the generosity of the community and the event sponsors who made the night possible.

“The generosity of Steve Molnar and his team at the Sheraton Mirage not only saw the Event venue funded but also, which was only told to me on the night, that the cost of food and beverage would be covered by the Sheraton also.

“Microhire, Sheraton Mirage and Indigenous Capital Limited were our biggest sponsors of the night.”

Award winners at the Douglas Shire NAIDOC Gala

Lifetime Achievement Award: Bennett Walker

Deadly Role Model of the Year (Dinkarr): Joint winners - Richard Burchill and Juan Walker

Deadly Role Model of the Year (Jalbu Jalbu): Roberta Henning

(Female) Jalbu Jalbu Elder of the Year: Janice Walker

(Male) Dinkarr Elder of the Year: Roy Gibson

Healing Bubu (Country) Award/Caring for Country: Saisha Schonenberger

Deadly Artist of the year: Joint winners - Lenice Schonenberger and Vanessa Cannon

Academic of the Year: Kathy Williams

Deadly Sportsperson of the Year: Bronson Ryan Jnr

Advocate of the Year (non-indigenous): Roy Zammataro

Indigenous Business of the Year: Walker Homes & Construction

GALLERY | Take a look at the Gala action below: