Red Ochre Award Explained

Red Ochre Award
Awarded For:	Lifetime achievement award for Indigenous Australians in the arts
Presenter:	Australia Council for the Arts
Country:	Australia
Reward:	$50,000

The Red Ochre Award is an annual art award for Indigenous Australian artists.

Background and description

The Red Ochre Award was established in 1993 by the Australia Council for the Arts.^[1]

It is awarded annually to an outstanding Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander) artist for lifetime achievement.^[1] is one of four categories awarded at the First Nations Arts Awards (formerly National Indigenous Arts Awards)^[2] on 27 May each year.^[3]

Recipients

2020s

• Uncle Badger Bates (2024)^[4]
• Aunty Mabel Juli (2024)
• Uncle Bob Weatherall (2023)^[5]
• Aunty Sandra Hill (2023)^[5]
• Stephen Page AO (2022)
• Destiny Deacon (2022)
• Yorna (Donny) Woolagoodja (2021)
• Dr Lou Bennett AM (2021)
• Alison Milyika Carroll (2020)^[6]
• Djon Mundine OAM (2020)^[7]

2010s

• Jack Charles (2019)^{[8] [9]}
• Lola Greeno (2019)^{[10] [9]}
• Mavis Ngallametta (2018)
• John Mawurndjul AM (2018)
• Lynette Narkle (2017)
• Ken Thaiday Snr (2017)^[11]
• Yvonne Koolmatrie (2016)
• Dr Gary Foley (2015)
• Hector Burton (2014)
• David Gulpilil AM (2013)
• Warren H. Williams (2012)
• Archie Roach (2011)^[12]
• Michael Leslie (2010)

2000s

• Gawirrin Gumana AO (2009)
• Doris Pilkington Garimara AM (2008)
• (2007)
• Tom E. Lewis (2006)
• Seaman Dan (2005)
• Johnny Bulunbulun (2004)
• Jimmy Little (2003)
• Dorothy Peters AM (2002)
• Banduk Marika AO (2001)
• Mervyn Bishop (2000)

1990s

• Justine Saunders OAM (1999)
• Bob Maza AM (1998)
• Jimmy Chi (1997)
• Maureen Watson (1996)
• The Mills Sisters (1995)
• Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri (1994)
• Eva Johnson (1993)

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Red Ochre Award (Lifetime achievement) . . 28 October 2021.
2. Web site: About the Dreaming Award. Australia Council . 6 November 2022.
3. Web site: National Indigenous Arts Awards . Australia Council . 14 April 2020.
4. Web site: First Nations Arts and Culture Awards . 2024-06-07 . Creative Australia . en-US.
5. Web site: Announcing the recipients of the 2023 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards . . 27 May 2023.
6. Web site: National Indigenous Arts Awards. 2020-06-09. Australia Council for the Arts.
7. Web site: National Indigenous Arts Awards. 2020-06-09. Australia Council for the Arts.
8. Web site: Uncle Jack Charles, Red Ochre Award 2019 Australia Council. www.australiacouncil.gov.au. 2019-06-13.
9. Web site: Fryer . Brooke . National Indigenous Arts Awards honour iconic actor and a renowned Tasmanian artist . NITV . 27 May 2019 . 14 April 2020.
10. Web site: Aunty Lola Greeno's cultural jewels. 2019-05-31. Radio National. en-AU. 2019-06-13.
11. Web site: Dr Ken Thaiday Senior . Australia Council . 15 May 2019 . 14 April 2020.
12. News: Archie Roach honoured with Red Ochre award . 31 July 2022 . ABC News . 26 May 2011 . en-AU.