The winners of the 2025 Wathaurong Community NAIDOC Awards were announced at the Flag Raising event held at Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative on Monday 7^th July, 2025. 

The NAIDOC 2025 theme – “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”  – celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

At Wathaurong, we are about strong community, strong culture, strong country. This year’s Wathaurong Community NAIDOC Award Winners exemplify these values and we congratulate all of them on their awards.

For the first time this year, we had joint winners in each category! 

Moordeemoondeek Goopma (Young Female Achiever)

JOINT WINNERS

Piper Knox – Piper was nominated for her commitment to her family, community and her work at the Co-operative. Piper is part of the Koorie Maternity Services team at Wathaurong, working with our mothers and babies and is studying to become a midwife.        

Grace Tournier – Grace was nominated because of her growth into a leadership role over the past 12 months. From a girl who barely spoke a word coming into programs at the Youth Hub, she has become a strong young woman has become a young strong woman who is able to stand up and become a leader in community. Grace has put her shame aside to ensure she can embed herself in culture, while making sure she supports the younger girls to feel comfortable. Grace also created and performed a dance for the opening of Booln Booln and is someone who takes initiative to do things, while being highly involved in the Youth Hub space. 

Koolay Goopma (Young Male Achiever)

JOINT WINNERS

Jida Apma-Hayes – Jida was nominated for showing outstanding leadership, including participating in the massive Murray paddle, paddling 100km! Jida has also showed great leadership through the Wathaurong Boxing Program. He has found his feet as a young leader and exemplifies this with his choices and behaviours. Jida has been setting standards in the Kadna Kawa Leadership Academy and is willing to challenge the status quo as a young man in this community. 

Tyson Edwards – Tyson was nominated for his commitment to his culture and his employment, working for Parks Victoria and looking after country. Tyson is a young man who is proud and strong in his culture.

Nedok Yoongga (Elder/Respected Person)

JOINT WINNERS

Uncle Glenn Shea Uncle Glenn was nominated as a well respected Elder who has done so much for the Wathaurong community. 

Aunty Nellie Flagg – Aunty Nellie was nominated for her commitment and passion for community, and someone who is always present at Wathaurong community events. 

Ngarrwa Ngitj (Community Person)

JOINT WINNERS

Ebony Hickey – Ebony was nominated for her fierce advocacy for her community. Ebony has spent years advocating for a permanent home for the Colac Gathering Place and has been instrumental in that dream becoming a reality this year. 

Ebony’s resilience in the last 12 months with the Colac gathering place is inspirational and continues to lead mob positively.

Simon Flagg – Simon was nominated for his commitment to community – from growing up in the Co-op to now leading the Co-op forward in his role as CEO. Simon is proud and strong in his culture, building a better future for our community.