2018 Tamworth NAIDOC Award Winners

13 July 2018

The achievements, the voice and the unwavering passion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women has been the focus of NAIDOC Week celebrations across the country this year and that is set to continue in Tamworth today as part of the NAIDOC Family Fun Day and Awards celebration.

Tamworth Regional Council’s Cultural Development Officer Andrea Bruno said: “With this year’s NAIDOC theme Because of her we can, this year’s Awards pay homage to inspirational local and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women that have made a significant contribution to the community. “The committee believes through highlighting and recognising local achievers, we can celebrate the talents and strengths of our community and promote the positive things Aboriginal people contribute to our community and beyond.”

The 2018 Tamworth NAIDOC Awards recognised local Aboriginal women across the region and the winners were selected by judge from the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet. The winners (in alphabetical order) are:

Audrey Trindall – a Kamilaroi woman with roots stretching from Baggabilla to Narrabri, she is described as strong in spirit, healthy, active, motivated, hardworking and funny. She is artistic and even though she has suffered a stroke it has not stopped her from living life to the fullest and being involved in local Aboriginal community projects such as arts and weaving basket classes. Connie Newcombe – is from one of the original Aboriginal families and is a role model to all. She worked her way up from the exchange to become the Employment Officer with Telecom for many years. She then managed Birrilee pre-school and was very active in sports growing up here.

Gloria Hardman – Gloria’s colleagues at the Salvation Army say she is the ‘whole package’. A lady of great substance and humility and has a depth that only most could aspire to. At church Gloria inspires and encourages all in her devotion to God and her desire to be Christ like. She is the church’s spiritual grandmother, embracing all who walk through the doors. She is generous with her time and resources, a powerful prayer warrior and confidant.

Helen Cochrane – a kind and caring woman who would go out of her way for anyone. Helen has raised three boys on her own and took on her ex-husbands children as well as numerous nieces and nephews who lived with her over the years.

Jodie Herden – Jodie’s involvement in community matters from babies to elders in an achievement to be acknowledged. Her artistic capabilities have benefitted many and her passion for what she does is inspiring.

Kellie O’Dea – Kellie is a 7th generation Kamilaroi woman who has been with Bunnings Tamworth since 2012. Kellie is the daughter of an internationally reputed Aboriginal artist (John Weeronga Bartoo) and is herself an artist and prolific writer of poetry. With five degrees, two at Masters level she is an inspiration to other Aboriginal women, her family, her three children and her workplace.

Lisa Shipley – A Gomeroi woman descendent from Toomelah, Lisa is a mother of four and grandmother of six. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Post Graduate studies in Indigenous Research and Leadership. She lectures in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at the University of New England and is currently studying a Master of Philosophy in Mental Health and Wellbeing in Rural First Nation’s Women. Lisa is also a voice to all Aboriginal women, most importantly to the local Tamworth Aboriginal community of women, advocating in a voluntary capacity. Her advocacy roles include: founder of the Aboriginal Assistance in Nursing at Hunter New England Health and TAFE New England; independent Director at the National Rural Women Coalition; researcher at the ‘Stayin’ on Track’ Young Aboriginal Fathers research; Co-Chair of the Consumer Advisory Body to Hunter New England Health; Member of the advisory body to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; Member of the advisory body to the Minister for Family and Community; Member of the UNE Vice-Chancellor advisory committee; representative of Rural Women at the UN National Rural Women’s Commission; and Aboriginal representative in the Australian Association of Gerontology.

Natalie Briggs – Natalie is a passionate hard worker in disability services. She always goes above and beyond putting others first. She loves her culture, and mob and will help anyone in need.

Pearl Trindall – Pearl started the very first NAIDOC ball, the first Aboriginal Knockout football competition in Tamworth and was instrumental in forming the first young Aboriginal mothers group which lead to starting her first playgroup. With a strong interest in education, Aunty Pearl believed education to be the foundation of life and went on to establish educational opportunities for Aboriginal children and subsequently the Birrelle Multi-Functional Aboriginal Children’s Service. Even with all of this, Aunty Pearl wanted to do more for the people and together with Uncle Joe formed the Kamilaroi Aboriginal Advancement Society. This organization helped the community with legal matters, housing, social justice, health and other issues. Health was soon identified as a major issue in the Aboriginal community so Aunty Pearl worked with other key community members to set up the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service, to provide free health care to the Aboriginal people of Tamworth and surrounding areas. After the loss of her second son, Aunty Pearl became part of the Friends of Nioka talking and sharing stories with others over loss and grief to help others through their journey. Being born in the late 1920’s Aunty Pearl has lived through it all and growing up with the government policies of the time, she says she feels fortunate because even though she was taken away, the family that she worked for allowed her to come and go whenever she wanted and treated her like a daughter rather than a house maid. Today at the age of 91, she still gets up and asks herself each day “what can I do to help”.

Rose Porter – is a founding member of Mara-Mara who moved here in the 1960’s. She married into one of the original families and was the first Homecare Coordinator. Rose has been involved in many groups, committees and organisations and even at the age of 80 she is still active with the Binalbaa Elders Group.

Susanne Bissett – over a decade ago, Susanne recognized through her work with children and families a dire need for the establishment of a kitchen which would offer hot and nutritious meals for people who were doing it tough. Established in Coledale, Susanne rejected the term ‘soup kitchen’ and worked and invested tirelessly to provide a dining experience for families to enjoy, free from judgement and fear. She took a hard line with politicians and community leaders in her fight to offer protection and strength to Aboriginal women and children of the local community. She is an example of a strong, inspirational woman and her legacy lives on through the kitchen in Coledale and the Susanne Bissett Memorial Orphanage in India.

Yvonne Kent – is an inspirational First Australian Woman, a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who is passionate about her community and the wellbeing of local families. A warm, caring and modest person who gives freely of her time to be involved with organisations and adds to the capacity of Not-For-Profit and Volunteer organisations. She is a Board member at Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Corporation, affiliated with the Tamworth Family Support Service, the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Centre and the Coledale Community Centre and she is an excellent mentor for young people. NAIDOC Week Tamworth is proudly supported by the Australian Government, Tamworth Regional Council the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Tamworth Local Aboriginal Lands Council, Tamworth & Armidale Aboriginal Children’s Service and Homes North. NAIDOC Week Tamworth organisers also wish to acknowledge sponsors HealthWise, Joblink Plus, Northcott, Tamworth Family Support Service and Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service.