Orange NAIDOC: Community Awards Night wraps up week of celebrations

Eleven Aboriginal people and organisations across Orange were recognised for their "outstanding contributions and achievements" - with an additional three categories for young people.

The winners were: Chloe Thompson for Trainee/Apprentice of the Year; Aunty Shirley Kinchela - Elder of the Year; Jamie Newman - Black & Deadly: Alanna Bennett for Female Sports Person; Jason French - Male Sports Person; Wayne Wright: - Male of the Year; Joanne Wright for Female of the Year; Sharlene Williams - Employee of the Year (Life Without Barriers); the Aboriginal Health Team at Orange Health Service won Service Provider of the Year; the Aboriginal Families as Teachers Program at Live Better took out the award for Community Program/Project of the Year; Greg Ingram (on behalf of his contribution with Garra Repatriation) won Community Involvement/Volunteer of the Year; Jayanna Dixon won Young Black & Deadly (5-18 years); Jazzel Kind for Junior Sports Person Female (5-18 years), and Zahkai Morgan won the award for Junior Sports Person Male (5-18 years).

According to Orange NAIDOC Committee Awards Night organiser Sandra Wicks, Elder of Year went to Aunty Shirley Kinchela because of the 30-plus years she had dedicated to the local Aboriginal community.

"[Aunty Kinchela] is a highly respected Elder in the Orange Aboriginal Community... [and] was employed with Family and Community Services for over 20 years, commencing her career there as an Aboriginal case worker," the awards committee said.

"[She] was instrumental in obtaining the first round of funding for the Local Aboriginal Medical Service here in Orange alongside Uncle Neil Ingram and Gerald Power.... She was involved in setting up the first youth centre... [and] supported youth who were struggling to find their way."

Jamie Newman won the Black & Deadly award for his lengthy involvement with the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, as well as for being a "driving force behind medical, social and community structures and identity".

He was also instrumental in supporting the local Aboriginal community access the COVID vaccine, the Orange NAIDOC awards committee said.

"Without the effort from Jamie and his team, Orange may have had a much poorer outcome from the... [COVID crisis]," the committee said. "He has led by example to be inclusive... and has the highest expectations."

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