Winners of the 14th annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander awards have been announced at a spectacular star-studded ceremony held at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday, October 9, 2008.

A who’s who of black Australia dazzled on the red carpet before joining hundreds of excited audience members in the Concert Hall for a celebration of Indigenous excellence in music, sport, entertainment and community achievement.

Hosted by AFI award-winning actor Luke Carroll, the Deadlys 2008 was an unforgettable night of entertainment featuring the angelic voice of internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Gurrumul Yunupingu. Also wowing the crowds with their vocals were the captivating Jessica Mauboy and the glamorous Ursula Yovich, while the legendary Jimmy Little also showed Australia he’s still got it with an impressive performance of his original hit, Royal Telephone.

But Deadlys night is all about the winners, and this year saw some of the most accomplished award winners yet seen on a Deadlys stage.

And the winners are . . .

Most Promising New Talent in Music Adam James	Single of the Year History (I Was Born Blind) – Gurrumul Yunupingu
Album of the Year Gurrumul – Gurrumul Yunupingu	Band of the Year The Black Arm Band
Artist of the Year Gurrumul Yunupingu	Lifetime Achievement to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music – Auriel Andrew
APRA Song of the Year Jodie Cockatoo-Creed & Andrew Farris – Never Let You Go	Most Promising New Talent in Sport Chris Sandow
Outstanding Achievement in AFL Lance Franklin	Outstanding Achievement in Rugby League Greg Inglis
Female Sportsperson of the Year Rohanee Cox	Male Sportsperson of the Year Patrick Mills
Lifetime Achievement for Contribution to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sport – Michael Long	THE ARTS Dancer of the Year Sermsah Bin Saad (aka Suri)
Outstanding Achievement in Film, TV or Theatre Trevor Jamieson & Scott Rankin, Ngapartji Ngapartji	Outstanding Achievement in Literature Anita Heiss & Peter Minter – Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature
Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment Stephen Page – Bangarra Dance Theatre	Actor of the Year Leah Purcell
Visual Artist of the Year Michael Cook	Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Paul Djolpa McKenzie – Maningrida CEC School
Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Dr Noel Hayman – Inala Indigenous Health Service	Broadcaster of the Year “Uncle” Peter Hill – The Shout Out Show, 98.9FM Queensland
Young Leader of the Year Matthew Cooke – Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous

Tags: Black Arm Band, Deadlys, Deadlys 2008