The Parkes Public School Little Goanna Dancers won the Annette Sloane Indigenous Youth of the Year award at the NAIDOC celebrations on Saturday. Coach Lionel Lovett said the group of eight boys had become very enthusiastic
about performing and were always asking when the next event would be. The Annette Sloane award was established
to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution made by Annette Sloane to the Wiradjuri community, particularly the youth. Annette grew up in Condobolin and was the first Aboriginal student to receive her Year 10 Certificate. She moved to Parkes with her family and was concerned for the youth of the Wiradjuri community. She believed
in nurturing skills that would instil a sense of pride and confidence in them. She opened her home to them and taught them many useful skills, particularly sewing for the girls.
Another award presented on Saturday was the NAIDOC Indigenous Person of the Year for 2016 that went to the Parkes Wiradjuri Language Group. Other nominees were Karen Hawken, Karen Hartley, Robert Clegg, Amanda Corcoran and the Parkes Aboriginal Community Working Party. Neighbourhood Central and Parkes Shire
Council would like to thank Parkes High School for the colour run, Lachlan Reconciliation Group for the sausage sizzle, the Dusty Yellow Sunbeams for popping in for a jam session and the launch of their sound track My Elders Blood, Gail Smith Music School students, the Little Goanna Dancers and all the volunteers.