Celebrating 50 Years of all-Indigenous National NAIDOC Committee Leadership

Caption: Cortney Glass with the 2024 National NAIDOC Committee in Adelaide.

The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC), has a long history. NAIDOC has its roots in the Aboriginal Rights groups who protested the treatment of Indigenous Australians in the early 20th century. 

Since then, NAIDOC has evolved into National NAIDOC Week. Held every July, National NAIDOC Week is a time of celebration and reflection. National NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for Australians to recognise the history, culture, and achievements of First Nations people. 

2024 is a momentous anniversary for NAIDOC, marking the 50th year of an entirely Indigenous-led National NAIDOC Committee. 

To celebrate this landmark anniversary and to recognise the hard work of all past, present, and future members of the National NAIDOC Committee, the Royal Australian Mint and the National NAIDOC Committee released a special collectible 50-cent coin leading up to NAIDOC Week 2024.

Featuring the artwork of prolific First Nations artist Cortney Glass, the commemorative coin will be available in limited numbers for collectors as well as a larger number of special coins available in circulation. 

Find out more from the Royal Australian Mint.

Caption: 50 Years of NAIDOC Coin Artwork, designed by Cortney Glass

About the 50 Years of NAIDOC Coin Artist Cortney Glass 

Caption: 50 Years of NAIDOC Coin Designer, Dagoman, Wardaman, and Gurindji woman, Cortney Glass.

Cortney Glass was the winner of the 2024 National NAIDOC Coin Design competition. 

Cortney’s design features a meeting place symbol that represents the National NAIDOC Committee coming together in collaboration. Other symbols on the coin also emphasise First Nations people’s deep connection to land, culture, and people to reflect their profound care for communities. 

Cortney is a contemporary digital artist, originally from Katherine, Northern Territory. She is a Dagoman, Wardaman, and Gurindji woman who is now living on Gadigal land (Sydney, NSW). Her designs are inspired by her passion for her culture, family and the art form of digital art.

Find out more about Cortney’s work.