The work of locals who have committed to sharing First Nations language and culture, caring for country and one another has been recognised with this year's Parkes NAIDOC Awards.

This year's recipients were announced by Micheal Anderson at the annual celebration at Bushman's Hill on Saturday, September 7.

Female Elder: Gail Smith

Gail has shown her unwavering commitment to her community and significant involvement in cultural leadership over many years, ensuring Indigenous voices are heard and respected.

As a member of the PSC Elders Advisory panel and the NAIDOC advisory panel she plays a crucial role in advising and supporting initiatives that celebrate and promote Indigenous culture.

Consistently showing up and participating in community events and discussions, inspires future generations to engage with their heritage.

Male role model: Glen Sloane

Glen's artwork, which includes a series of murals for Bushman's Hill, not only beautifies the surroundings but enriches the cultural landscape of the area.

Through his creative expression, Glen inspires others to appreciate and engage with art, making it accessible and relevant to the community and showing how creativity can foster community pride and inclusivity.

NAIDOC person award: Amanda Corcoran

Amanda was the Parkes shire's first Aboriginal project officer and achieved a lot for community in her 10 years in the role, such as health checks, eye clinics, helping establish the first Bushman's Hill master plan and starting the Parkes NAIDOC celebrations.

Amanda has dedicated herself to the Parkes Aboriginal Community working party, re-established this year post-COVID, and ensuring Parkes received representation in the Three Rivers Regional Assembly.

Sport Award: Summer Hurford

Summer is a gymnastics coach at PCYC and plays a vital role in developing the skills and confidence of young athletes - fostering not only physical fitness but teamwork and personal growth.

Summer's efforts also create opportunities for young people to engage in sports while embracing their heritage.

She made a significant contribution in organising children for the Nations of Origin event that celebrates Indigenous culture.

Summer is not pictured as she was playing in her grand final on the day.

Junior award (16 to 25 years): Savannah Ross

Savannah is a proud Wiradjuri woman who is studying Year 12 at Parkes High School and teaching dance at Parkes Dance Co.

She continually demonstrates pride of culture and values, involved in Guwals and the Indigenous dance group at school.

She has participated in numerous cultural activities at public schools in the shire throughout the years, and is recognised as a role model to younger students.

Savannah excels in all areas of creative arts, and is willing to take on responsibility when required to represent Indigenous students.

She consistently displays high levels of enthusiasm for leadership and teamwork within the school wider community.

Junior award (five to 15 years)

Kyan Gee

This remarkable Year 7 students has been involved in many ventures in the past 12 months.

He was a member of Parkes Christian School's representative lawn bowls team that won at Dubbo, and has just come second in the State finals in Sydney.

Kyan joined the Rural Fire Service last November last year and has become a dedicated member, selected to represent Parkes at the State championships on the weekend, and played rugby union with the young Parkes Boars this season.

Creative talent award: Irene Ridgeway

Irene has played a significant role in the arts and commitment to community engagement, teaching workshops that share the importance of art and fostering creativity.

Her collaborative work with artists including Sean Cassidy, particularly the Yindyamarra project in the Philippines, underscores her commitment to cross-cultural exchange and a passion for demonstrating First Nations art.

Irene and her son Daniel have produced an emotional documentary about her great grandmother Nanny Nellie, and brought this to Parkes library for screening and Q and A.

Irene expressed her appreciation for the award on Saturday.

"Working together is our biggest fortune here intown and I'm happy to be able to put my hand up and say I want to be a part of this town, work for this town, and do the best that I can," she said.

Caring and country culture award: Jodie Sutton

Jodie, an Aboriginal Education Officer, is a role model to Parkes High School students.

She inspires and encourages the fundamentals of self-awareness, pride in culture and empowerment.

But she goes beyond to look after the students, treating each with respect and kindness, enhancing teaching of culture so the next generation of Wiradjuri students can become the next elders with a sense of belonging to culture.

Education award - made a difference to the lives of students and communities

Donna Payne

Donna has served as the Aboriginal Education Officer at Holy Family School for the past 11 years, she has developed and implemented a comprehensive Wiradjuri language and culture program which is taught from kindergarten to Year 6

This includes installation of numerous Wiradjuri features throughout the school including Aboriginal murals, Wiradjuri language inscriptions on steps and beautifully designed Aboriginal garden areas

She has been instrumental in planning and executing outstanding celebrations for key events such as NAIDOC Day, National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

An active member of the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, serves as an executive member and Parkes delegate for western AECG members

Innovation award: Jordan McDougal

Introducing Bro Speak and Sista Speak to the Parkes Public School community earned Jordan McDougal this honour.

Jordan has worked closely with staff to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal students, researching and collaborating with elders and other school settings to develop a unique program for Parkes Public School.

Jordan is a mentor to those around him, providing insight and information about culture, and Bro Speak and Sista Speak have been greatly received by the school staff, students and community.

Honorary award: Angela Fitzpatrick

The impact of Angela's work to bring the local Wiradjuri language into classrooms cannot be overstated.

In 2006, Angela was the first teacher in Parkes to have the local Wiradjuri language being taught in the classroom.

She strongly advocated for the language to be taught in all Parkes schools - this included teaching community how to teach language in the schools - and today it is taught in five schools.

Angela, who's been teaching nearly 30 years and mentoring many young Indigenous kids, is a founding member of the Parkes Wiradjuri language group and has recently been working on resources being used by first Languages Australia on how to teach Indigenous languages nationally.