12/07/2026
🖤💛❤️Wonnarua Wayila at the 2026 NAIDOC Awards 💚💙🤍
What a wonderful evening Friday night was.
The NAIDOC Awards aren’t just about winning they’re about coming together as one community to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and passion of so many people who continue to support culture, strengthen identity, and care for our Community and Country.
We are incredibly proud of everyone connected to Wonnarua Wayila who were recognised on the night.
Junior Sportsperson – Female:
🏆 Lillea McKenzie
✨ Finalists: Addi Grant & Zari McKenzie
Junior Sportsperson – Male:
🏆 Phoenix McGrady
✨ Finalists: Caleb Clegg & Astin Frame
Youth of the Year – Female:
🏆 Zari McKenzie
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year:
🏆 Daniel Pung
✨ Finalists: Takara Bell & Jackson Maskey
Senior Sportsperson:
🏆 Steven Lawrence
✨ Finalists: Courtney Bott & Jacob Horton
Volunteer of the Year:
🏆 Jade Perry
✨ Finalists: Steven Lawrence, Jeanine Pascoe
Community Contribution Award:
🏆 Wonnarua Wayila
✨ Finalists: Deanne Douglas, Josh Paul
Receiving the Community Contribution Award is something we are incredibly proud of. While our name may have been called, this award belongs to every player, parent, volunteer, coach, sponsor, Elder and community member who has believed in our vision and walked this journey with us.
Wonnarua Wayila was created to provide a safe, inclusive and culturally strong space where our people could come together through sport. It was built to create opportunities for our young people, strengthen connections to culture, promote healthy lifestyles, and show that when our community stands together, amazing things happen.
In such a short time, we’ve watched our family grow beyond anything we imagined. This award is a reminder that every training session, every event, every fundraiser, every volunteer hour and every act of kindness has made a difference.
This recognition motivates us to keep building opportunities for our community, keep supporting our young people, and keep creating a place where everyone feels proud to belong.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Wonnarua Wayila. We are only just getting started.
Congratulations to all of the nominees, finalists and winners. Every one of you is making a positive impact in our community, and together we are making our future stronger.
🖤💛❤️