Find out more about the City of PAE’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards
We’re proud to acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their contribution to the community.
Each year, we welcome nominations from members of the community and community organisations for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards. The awards are presented at a special event hosted by the City of PAE and our Aboriginal Advisory Panel. Recipients of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards may also be nominated by the City of PAE for the state and/or national NAIDOC Awards.
Categories for the awards are:
- Elder of the Year
- Aunty Josie Agius Youth Achievement Award
- Person of the Year
- Sportsperson of the Year
- Contribution to the Arts
- Educational Achievement
- Lifetime Achievement
- Recognition of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island group or organisation for its contribution to the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community
- Recognition of a non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, group or organisation for their contribution to the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities
Nominate now!
Nominations for the 2026 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards are now open, and must be received by Sunday 25 October 2026.
Congratulations to the 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards winners:
Patricia Waria-Read
Aunty Josie Agius Youth Achievement Award
Kashiah Dixon-Miller and Crystal Edwards
Person of the Year
Najwa Richards and Peter Miller Koncz
Sportsperson of the Year
Shanika Ah Matt-Lovett, Lilly Tonkin-Garlett and Damien Wanganeen
Contribution to the Arts
Daisybell Foster
Educational Achievement
Chloe Rivett
Lifetime Achievement
Susan Dixon
Recognition of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Group or Organisation for its Contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
Tauondi College/Kevin Coleman
Recognition of a non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person, Group or Organisation for their Contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
Junction Community Centre, Sophia Katari
Previous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander award winners
- Aboriginal Group or Organisation Contribution to Community:
Tauondi Aboriginal Community College Staff - Non-Aboriginal Individual, Group or Organisation Contribution to Community:
Tadashi Nakamura and Abbie Patterson - Contribution to the Arts:
Ingrid O'Loughlin - Elder of the Year:
Rosemary Wanganeen - Educational Achievement:
Hannah Hughes - Person of the Year:
Schania Czygan - Sportsperson of the Year:
Terrence Wilson - Auntie Josie Youth Achievement Award:
Shakaya Butler and Alex Agius-Bersee
Elder of the Year
Aunty Joan Lamont
Aunty Josie Agius Youth Achievement Award
Ella Forrester
Person of the Year
Mary-Anne Lovegrove
Sportsperson of the Year
Kahlia Miller-Koncz
Contribution to the Arts
Leticia Rickett
Educational Achievement
Kobe Collins and Petiola Wilson (joint winners)
Lifetime Achievement
Wendy Warner
Recognition of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Group or Organisation for its Contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
Tiraapendi Wodli Men’s Group
Recognition of a non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person, Group or Organisation for their Contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
Simon Talanskas
The awards booklets that we produce each year showcase all of the nominations received, highlighting the exceptional achievements of local people, groups and services.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards booklet 2024
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards booklet 2022
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards booklet 2021
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards booklet 2020
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards booklet 2019
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards booklet 2018
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards booklet 2017
Aboriginal Tertiary Education Scholarship
We offer 12-month Aboriginal Tertiary Educational Scholarships of up to $5,000 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students to undertake tertiary studies at Flinders University or Adelaide University. Up to two Scholarships are available annually.
The purpose of the Tertiary Education Scholarships is to encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents to achieve educational aspirations and contribute to development in the City of PAE.
2026-2027 scholarship applications are now open
Applications for this round will close at 5pm on Friday 26 June 2026.
Meet past scholarship recipients
- India Bament-Sitkowski is studying a Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) at the University of South Australia.
- Jack Agius is studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education at the University of South Australia.
- Mani Welch is studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Mathematics and Computer Sciences at the University of Adelaide
- Hayley Kurray is studying a Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) at the University of South Australia
- is studying a Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) at the University of South Australia
- Lauren Whitington, studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- Courtney Bouzikos, studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education (Honours)
