Australia celebrates Indigenous talent at the Deadlys
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today congratulated the 25 outstanding Indigenous Australians and organisations that received awards at last night’s 17th annual Deadly Awards.
The Deadlys, Australia’s largest Indigenous awards night, showcase the depth of talent and achievements of Indigenous Australians across the fields of sport, the arts, education, health, employment, cultural advancement and leadership.
It is a fantastic achievement to receive a Deadly Award and all of last night’s winners have shown great leadership, talent and commitment in their fields.
Last night’s event, held at the Sydney Opera House, was hosted by City Homicide’s Aaron Pederson and singer Casey Donovan.
Among the winners, tennis legend Evonne Goolgong Cawley was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sport Award, and veteran country singer Col Hardy received the Jimmy Little Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Music.
Former Australian Idol contestant and chart-topping singer, Jessica Mauboy, took out female artist of the year.
Singer Gurrumul Yunipingu was honoured with two awards – male artist of the year and album of the year for Rrakala, while Northern Territory band Iwantja took home the most promising new talent in music award.
SBS’s Indigenous current affairs program, Living Black, won television show of the year, and Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston, received the award for outstanding achievement in NRL.
The Australian Government is proud to support Vibe Australia which produces the Deadlys.
2011 Deadly award winners:
| Award category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Most Promising New Talent in Music | Iwantja Band |
| Single of the Year | Happy People – the Last Kinection |
| Album of the Year | Rrakala – Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Band of the Year | The Last Kinection |
| Male Artist of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Female Artist of the Year | Jessica Mauboy |
| Dancer of the Year | Kathy Marika |
| Male Actor of the Year | Aaron Pedersen – City Homicide |
| Female Actor of the Year | Deborah Mailman – Offspring |
| Visual Artist of the Year | Michael Cook |
| Film of the Year | Mad Bastards |
| TV Show of the Year | Living Black – SBS |
| Outstanding Achievement in Literature | Anita Heiss – Paris Dreaming |
| Outstanding Achievement in AFL | Andrew Walker – Carlton |
| Outstanding Achievement in NRL | Johnathan Thurston – Cowboys |
| Female Sportsperson of the Year | Rohanee Cox – Basketball |
| Male Sportsperson of the Year | Patrick Mills – Basketball |
| Most Promising New Talent in Sport | Tanisha Stanton – Netball |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker of the Year | Muriel Jaragba, Aboriginal Mental Health Worker, Groote Eylandt NT |
| Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | NPY Women’s Council (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council Aboriginal Corporation) – “No Safe Amount – The Effects of Alcohol in Pregnancy” Alice Springs NT |
| Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education | Deadly Ute Project – Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative through Wimmera Hub, Horsham VIC |
| Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment | Brian Dowd – Black on Track, NSW |
| Broadcaster of the Year | Karla Hart – Noongar Radio, 100.9FM Perth WA |
| The Ella Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sport | Evonne Goolagong Cawley |
| The Jimmy Little Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Music | Col Hardy |