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Mr and Miss NAIDOC crowned

By Jemma Jones

Jul 12, 2026

Mr NAIDOC for 2026 Malik Day with Wade Austin. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Young people were celebrated at Njernda’s NAIDOC Youth Gala on Tuesday, July 7, with many awardees crowned on the night.

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More than 70 young people turned out in their finest for a joyful evening of celebration at the Dungala Function Centre in Moama.

The event offered a welcoming space for local young people to gather and celebrate NAIDOC Week, this year marked under the theme ‘50 Years of Deadly’.

At the gala, the Youth Gala winners were also announced, with Kiara Meloury-Day announced as Belle of the Ball and Djikurra Atkinson named the Beau of the Ball.

The previous Friday, at Berrimba Child Care Centre, Alkira Hearn was named Miss NAIDOC and Malik Day was named Mr NAIDOC.

The pair took on an important role throughout NAIDOC Week, helping during the week and officiating the dedicated Men's and Women's Days events on Thursday, July 10.

Rounding out the evening's celebrations, Ilaitia Taga-Hudson was named Little Mr NAIDOC and Lenni Gordon was named Little Miss NAIDOC.