Singleton Naidoc - Community Events

13/07/2026

The memories captured reflect what this night is truly about coming together to celebrate the people who make a difference, honour achievements and recognise the strength, resilience and spirit of our communities.

Thank you to our Gold Sponsors – Youth Express, AGL and ACDF Mach Energy Mount pleasent for your generous support.

Thank you also to our Black Sponsors – HVO Operations, Malabar, Bulga Coal, Glencore, Thiess, Power and Country, Ausgrid, WMR, Mawambul and Muswellbrook Shire Council. Your support helps make these celebrations possible.

A huge thank you to our dedicated NAIDOC Committee, volunteers, performers, nominees, finalists, winners, MC Brooke Boney, Zariah Mills Tull, Waagan galga JLT Jamie turner, castlereagh connections band and every community member who joined us to celebrate. This night is a reminder that when we come together, we continue to strengthen culture, celebrate excellence, and honour the legacy of those who came before us.

Congratulations to all of this year's nominees and award recipients. We are proud to celebrate you all.

📸miikal photography

If you got photos at the start please email or send a inbox and I’ll send link

11/07/2026

🖤💛❤️Upper Hunter NAIDOC Awards
2026 💙💚🤍

The Singleton NAIDOC Committee would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended the 2026 Upper Hunter NAIDOC Awards and congratulate all of our finalists and winners.

What a wonderful evening it was.

“Friday night wasn't about competition it was about coming together as one community. acknowledging the hard work, dedication and passion that so many people put into supporting culture, strengthening identity and caring for our Community & Country.

When we continue to walk together, When we work together, share together and uplift each other, our culture and our community grow stronger for everyone.

We are continuing the legacy of our Old People walking together with unity, respect and love. Every person recognised on Friday night is a winner through the contributions they make to our community and culture every day so Congratulations to all the nominees.” (Jade Perry”)

A massive thank you to our sponsors for making this celebration possible.

Gold Sponsors: Youth Express• AGL Hunter• ACDF Mach Energy Mount Pleasant

Black Sponsors: Mawambul | HVO Operation | Ausgrid | Malabar Resources | Muswellbrook Shire Council | Thiess | Bulga Coal Glencore | Wonnarua Mining Rehabilitation | Power and Country

Without your support, we wouldn't be able to recognise and celebrate the incredible achievements of our mob across the Upper Hunter.

Thank you to the Judging Panel for taking the time to judge. A special thank you to Jaimie Turner for your help, including the beautiful cake and decorations. And to Courtney, Teniel, Zari and Lillea for helping with the setup.

Thank you also to Brooke Boney for being our MC, Waagan Galga for another powerful cultural dance performance and Zariah Mills Tull and Castlereagh Connections for keeping everyone entertained throughout the evening.

2026 Award Winners & Finalists

Junior Scholar (Sponsored by Mawambul)
🏆Georgia Rose Vinden
Finalists: Lola Toole, Johnny Dwyer

Junior Sportsperson – Female (Sponsored by HVO Operations)
🏆 Lillea McKenzie
Finalists: Addi Grant, Zari McKenzie

Junior Sportsperson – Male (Sponsored by Bulga Coal Glencore)
🏆 Phoenix McGrady
Finalists: Caleb Clegg, Astin Frame

Youth of the Year – Female (Sponsored by ACDF Youth Express)
🏆 Zari McKenzie

Youth of the Year – Male (Sponsored by Youth Express)
🏆 Eden Fay
Finalist: Zoran Dennis

Professional Achievement Award (Sponsored by Muswellbrook Shire Council)
🏆 Laurie Perry
Finalists: Joey Butler, Marty Morris

Apprentice/Trainee of the Year (Sponsored by Thiess)
🏆 Daniel Pung
Finalists: Takara Bell, Jackson Maskey

Senior Scholar (Sponsored by Malabar Resources)
🏆 Rebel Fay
Finalists: Seren Hall, Deegan Edwards

Senior Sportsperson (Sponsored by AGL Hunter)�🏆 Steven Lawrence
Finalists: Courtney Bott, Jacob Horton

Artist of the Year (Sponsored by Power and Country)
🏆 Charlotte Craven-Miller
Finalists: Jaimie Turner, Chanae Walker

Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by AGL Hunter)
🏆 Jade Perry
Finalists: Steven Lawrence, Jeanine Pascoe

Community Contribution Award (Sponsored by Ausgrid)
🏆 Wonnarua Wayila
Finalists: Deanne Douglas, Josh Paul

Elder of the Year – Female (Sponsored by ACDF Mach Energy Mount Pleasant)
🏆 Aunty Joanne Vinson
Finalists: Aunty Jean Hands, Aunty Yvonne Dunn-Mills

Elder of the Year – Male (Sponsored by ACDF Mach Energy Mount Pleasant)
🏆 Joint Winners: Uncle Warren Taggart & Uncle Laurie Perry

Ally Award (Sponsored by Wonnarua Mining Rehabilitation)
🏆 Mr Roy Palmer

Congratulations once again to every nominee, finalists and winners.

Thank you for the work you do every day in our schools, workplaces, organisations and communities. Your commitment to culture and community does not go unnoticed.

We hope everyone enjoyed the evening, the food, the entertainment and the opportunity to celebrate together.

📸 Photos from the night will be shared soon, so keep an eye on our page!

Wiyabu (Thank you). ✨

08/07/2026

Wow... what a day!

Thank you to everyone who came along to celebrate 50 Years of NAIDOC with us. Seeing our community come together in unity to celebrate culture, connection and community was something truly special.

A special thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable Laurie Perry for being our MC, Uncle Warren for his Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, Councillor George for joining us and speaking. Eden Fay for sharing such a powerful speech on this year's theme, 50 Years of NAIDOC. Uncle Richie for his didgeridoo performance. Aunty Jean, Aunty Yvonne, Uncle Warren, Aunty Nat Anderson for cutting the NAIDOC cake. and Waagan Galga for dancing up a storm and what a special moment it was to have two wedgetail eagles soaring above us during the performances a beautiful reminder of the strength and spirit of Country.

A huge thank you to our major sponsors ACDF Mach Energy Mt Pleasant, AGL Hunter, Glencore and BHP Mt Arthur

We also want to acknowledge our amazing volunteers Joey Butler, Clontarf, Ausgrid, the AGL Hunter team, Kim and Kylie from Singleton Council, and Wonnarua Wayila. Your time, energy and commitment never go unnoticed.

Thank you to all of our stallholders, community services, food vendors, performers and everyone involved in the Wonnarua Wayila touch games. Every one of you played a part in making the day a success.

Days like today don't happen without partnership, commitment and people willing to give their time for the community. Together, we've created a celebration that honours our culture, celebrates 50 Years of NAIDOC, and provides a free, welcoming and inclusive event for everyone.

Finally, thank you to our community. Year after year, you continue to show up, support one another and celebrate our culture with pride. That's what today was all about.

Until next year... keep celebrating, sharing and living culture every day.

📸 Miikal Photography & Cara Northey photography

🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

07/07/2026

🌞 The sun's out, and we're setting up for a deadly day!

Singleton NAIDOC Community Day is almost ready, and we can't wait to celebrate with everyone.

A huge thank you to Aunty Jean, Kim, and the AGL team Jo and Sonia for helping us mark out the grounds yesterday. Today we have Clontarf, Wonnarua Wayila, AGL and Ausgrid helping set up we appreciate your support.

Come down and enjoy a FREE community day celebrating culture, community, and connection. There'll be cultural performances, activities, stalls, food and plenty to enjoy for the whole family.
See you all soon🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍

07/07/2026

06/07/2026

🎉 TOMORROW 🎉

Get ready for a deadly day of culture, community and celebration on Wonnarua/Wanaruah Country as we come together to celebrate 50 Years of NAIDOC.

✨ Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony
✨ Corroboree & Cultural Workshops
✨ 50+Community stalls & activities
✨ Weaving, face painting, Reptiles & Rides
✨ Koorioke entertainment
✨ Delicious food vans including Bush-tucker tasting
✨ NAIDOC Touch Tournament
✨ Elders Tent

We’ve got an exciting day planned and can’t wait to see community, families, organisations and visitors come together to celebrate the strength, resilience and richness of the oldest living culture.

Bring your family, invite your friends and come celebrate with us.

📍 Singleton Showground
📅 Wednesday 8th July
⏰ 10-2pm

See you there!

06/07/2026

☀️ 2 DAYS TO GO! ☀️

Only 2 days until we come together for Singleton NAIDOC Community Day!

We're looking forward to a deadly day of culture, community and connection as we celebrate 50 Years of NAIDOC.

From Corroboree and cultural workshops to weaving, bush tucker, jumping castles, face painting, the NAIDOC Touch Game, Koorioke, services, market stalls and so much more there's something for everyone!

🤞🏽 Now let's all hope the sun stays out and shines down on us for a beautiful day on Country! ☀️

📅 Wednesday 8 July
🕙 10:00am – 2:00pm
📍 Singleton Showground

Bring your family, your friends and your mob, and come celebrate with us. We can't wait to see everyone there!