Pam Boney was recognised at the 2013 NAIDOC Week awards ceremony for her then role as an Aboriginal and community worker with Families NSW and the contribution she made to the Orange community through her position.

She said it was important for employers and community groups, especially non-Aboriginal institutions, to nominate indigenous people for their often unrecognised input to the community. 

“For me it’s made a huge impact on my life. To be recognised within the community is a huge thing for me,” Ms Boney said.

“It’s also humbling because we have a vibrant Aboriginal community. In Orange we have a lot of people who have very strong leadership and give up their time. They’re the ones who deserve to be recognised.”

The 12 categories people can be nominated under are Employee of the Year, Trainee or Apprentice of the Year, Service Provider, Male Person, Female Person, Senior Sportsperson, Junior Sportsperson, Community Program/Projects, Black and Deadly, Young Black and Deadly, Community Involvement and Volunteer Lynne Gibbs Memorial Award and Elder of the Year. 

NAIDOC committee chairman Gerald Power said the awards were a chance to raise awareness about those who were doing a great job in the community.

“You’ve got Australia Day awards for Australian of the Year and Young Australian of the Year and things like that. We’re doing it on a community level,” Mr Power said. 

“It’s to celebrate the pride of the community and the traditional owners of the land.” 

Nomination forms can be collected from the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, 42 Dalton Street, and nominations close on August 29.

A panel of four judges will decide the winners. Junior awards will be presented at the NAIDOC Week march on October 13, and senior awards at a presentation night on October 18.

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au