PROUD MOMENT: Whyalla 2018 NAIDOC Week award winners Shantae Barnes-Cowan and Elliot McNamara with Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer.

Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer has had the honour of presenting this year’s NAIDOC Week awards.

In a moving ceremony at the Middleback Arts Centre today, Mayor Breuer stepped up to present the eight awards after the Welcome to Country opening by Yolanda Croft.

“This is a special day for the whole community as we recognised these people who are achieving great things in our city,” Mayor Breuer said.

“It is also wonderful to be celebrating the contribution indigenous women have played in our community with the ‘because of her, we can’ theme for this year’s NAIDOC celebrations.

“Growing up in Whyalla I have had the privilege of knowing some amazing women over the years who have been great mentors to the next generation of outstanding women who are now contributing to our community.”

Eight locals were recognised for their achievements with youth worker Jeff Croft being named the Male Community Person of the Year. Peta Sutton and Hayley Sumner couldn’t be separated for the Female Community Person of the Year award.

“I’ve known Jeff Croft just about all his life as he is a friend of the family and my son Tim while I knew Elliot McNamara’s grandfather, also called Elliot, when he used to run around footy grounds in Whyalla 40 years ago.

“For me this is an incredible honour and like presenting awards to family and friends.”

The Whyalla NAIDOC Committee thanked everyone that took the time to nominate the many worthy nominees in a year where the quality of nominations made the selection extremely difficult.

2018 Whyalla NAIDOC Week award winners

• Male Community Person of the Year: Jeff Croft
• Female Community Person of the Year: Peta Sutton and Hayley Sumner
• Outstanding Community Service of the Year: Country Arts SA
• Community Youth of the Year: Tahlia Hoban
• Male Scholar of the Year: Joseph Jebdyah
• Female Scholar of the Year: Tayla Abinett-Cartwright
• Female Sportsperson of the Year: Shantae Barnes-Cowan
• Male Sportsperson of the Year: Elliot McNamara

NAIDOC Week celebrations move on to the Whyalla Hospital Community Morning tomorrow (Tuesday, July 10) from 10.30am to midday at the hospital gardens. It will feature the Dusty Feet Mob dance troupe and appearances from former AFL players Anthony Modra, Troy and Shane Bond and Pete Burgoyne.

There will be an ADAC Ice Forum on Wednesday, July 11 from 9am to 4.30pm at the Central Whyalla Football Club. This is a good chance to find out more about the Ice drug scourge that is impacting on our community.

The popular Community Day will be on Thursday, July 12 from 11am to 2pm at the Gabmididi Manoo Children & Family Centre.  There will be plenty to do for families with a jumping castle, face painting and bubble soccer with food and drink also available.

The kids get to style-up on Thursday, July 12 at the BLUELIGHT Dance Party from 6.30pm to 9pm at the D’Faces Hall. For 13-17-year-olds, it’s a lock-in event with no pass outs making it a safe, fun and enjoy night with some deadly music.

It all wraps up with the NAIDOC Ball at the Croatia Soccer Club on Saturday, July 14 from 5.45pm to midnight. It’s a semi-formal night with a $35 three-course meal and entertainment from local lads Jackdaw.

Tickets for the NAIDOC Ball are now available from the Middleback Arts Centre or online at https://www.countryarts.org.au/events/2018-naidoc-ball/

For more information on the Whyalla NAIDOC Week celebrations go to the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Whyalla-NAIDOC-Week-1703390359967301/