SAC to celebrate 40 years as NAIDOC Ball returns to Albany on November 4

Albany’s Southern Aboriginal Corporation will host its annual NAIDOC Ball next month with guests treated to a three-course meal, a special guest, and awards honouring the achievements of Indigenous Australians in the Great Southern.

Marking 40 years since SAC was formed, the event promises to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the region.

The evening will feature a special guest with assistant ombudsman for Aboriginal engagement and collaboration Laurence Riley travelling from Perth to MC for the night.

Four awards will be bestowed on the night including elder of the year, young person of the year, community services excellence, and a special award around the 2023 NAIDOC theme of “For our elders” sponsored by the City of Albany, Great Southern Development Commission, Palmerston and headspace Albany.

SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said the awards are a moment to celebrate the important role that the Aboriginal community plays in the Great Southern region.

“This local NAIDOC awards ceremony recognises the outstanding contributions that Indigenous Australians make to improve the lives of Indigenous people in their communities and beyond, and also to promote Indigenous issues in the wider community,” she said.

Event organiser Kahlia Ericson said she looked forward to making the evening — which will treat guests to a three-course sit-down dinner — a memorable event.

“The evening will be one to remember, inviting people to dress up, enjoy a delicious sit-down dinner, and live entertainment,” she said.

The 2023 NAIDOC Ball will take place at 6pm on Saturday, November 4, at Retravision Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased online via Humanitix: events.humanitix.com/2023-naidoc-ball.