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The winners of the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards have been announced, with Christine Corby AM recognised as Female Elder of the Year and Aunty Pat Turner AO named NAIDOC Person of the Year.
The awards, held in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) over the weekend, celebrate the leadership, dedication and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Christine Corby AM is a proud Gamilaraay woman and highly respected Aboriginal health leader who has driven transformative change in north-west New South Wales for four decades.
As founding Chief Executive Officer of Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, she helped grow the organisation into a leading community-controlled health service. She has also championed community initiatives and represented Aboriginal communities across a range of health organisations at regional, state and national levels. Christine is a former RDN Board member and also sits on the Board of Directors for Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW.
Her leadership has strengthened health outcomes, cultural recognition and community resilience. In recognition of her contribution, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
Walgett Shire Council has congratulated her on her win, saying her leadership, determination, wisdom and commitment to community have created lasting change and strengthened generations.
"This prestigious national recognition is so richly deserved and an incredibly proud moment for Christine, her family, the Walgett community and the wider Walgett Shire," they said.
Aunty Pat Turner AO, an Arrernte and Gurdanji woman and former lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, was recognised for her decades of advocacy and leadership, including her role in developing the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and championing the community-controlled sector.
Her distinguished career spans senior public service roles, national policy reform, advocacy and community leadership. She made history as the first Aboriginal woman to lead a Commonwealth Government department when she was appointed chief executive officer of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).
Through this and other leadership roles, Aunty Pat has helped shape national approaches to Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander and governance. More recently, as lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, she played a central role in negotiating and implementing the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, helping drive a shift towards shared decision-making and accountability.
Unable to attend the ceremony herself, Dr Josie Douglas from the Central Land Council accepted the award on Pat Turner's behalf.
“Tonight we gather on Mparntwe Country to honour a truly extraordinary Aboriginal woman, a woman whose life has been grounded in culture, family and an unwavering commitment to our people," she said.
"It is an enormous privilege and a deep personal honour to accept this award on behalf of Dr Pat Turner, NAIDOC Person of the Year, here on her own country”.
Other award recipients were recognised across categories including Lifetime Achievement, Caring for Country and Emerging Leader. The full list of 2026 National NAIDOC Award winners is available on the NAIDOC website.
