NAIDOC's next Person of the Year will soon be announced. They'll join an illustrious group

The National NAIDOC Awards will soon announce its 44th Person of the Year, joining a distinguished list of recipients honoured for their exceptional contributions. Since its inception, the award has celebrated individuals who have made significant strides in creative arts, law and justice, health, sport, medicine, media and advocacy, while also standing at the forefront of the fight for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights.

The first recipient, Charles Dixon, fought tirelessly for justice and human rights throughout his life, while Oodgeroo Noonuccal was the first female recipient, using her platform as a poet to advocate for Aboriginal rights. Over the years, the award has recognized remarkable leaders such as Kathy Mills, Jimmy Little, Shirley Smith, David Mowaljarlai, Geraldine Briggs, Ernie Dingo, Charles Perkins, and many others.

The recipients hail from various regions across Australia, with the majority coming from Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales. Over the decades, the award has honoured 17 women and 26 men. This year's finalists include Pat Turner AO, Dr Lana Leslie-Henfling OAM (Kamilaroi), and Timmy Duggan OAM (Warumungu, Wagiman and Nyikina), who have each dedicated decades to leadership, governance, innovation, and community work.

Pat Turner, a Gudanji–Arrernte woman, has had a distinguished 50-year career in public service, national policy reform, advocacy, and community leadership. She was the first Aboriginal woman to lead a Commonwealth Government department as Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). Turner also played a crucial role in negotiating the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and has held various high-profile appointments, including being the inaugural CEO of NITV.

Her exceptional contributions were recognized in 2024 with an Honorary Doctor of Letters (HonLittD) from The Australian National University.