About 2500 people lined the foreshore for the annual Westlakes NAIDOC Family Fun Day.

The main event - the march down The Boulevarde - was three times bigger than last year’s, with about 500 people forming in the street in a magnificent display of indigenous pride.

Other highlights included live entertainment, kids’ art and craft, display stalls and a barbecue.

The Westlakes NAIDOC Community Awards were also presented on the day.

The awards recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ contribution to their community - a principle that underpins NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Most notably, the Uncle Bob Sampson Memorial Award was awarded posthumously to the late Uncle Jimmy Wright, who passed away last month.

Uncle Jimmy was an Aboriginal rights pioneer in the Hunter and the founder of training organisation Yarnteen, the Yowies Sports Association, and was the first chief executive of the Awabakal Aboriginal Cooperative.

■ Youth of the Year - Janara Douglas

■ Community Member of the Year - Paul Douglas

■ Community Worker of the Year - Emma Beckett

■ Acknowledgement Award (Meyapaliko Award) - Senior Constable Neil Davies; Jennifer McLaren; Coral Allen; and Toronto Swim Centre

■ Elder of the Year - Uncle Gerry Edwards and Aunty Zelma Moran

■ Uncle Jim Ridgeway Biyang Award - Raymond Smith

■ Uncle Ken McBride Senior Award - Lateeka Eggins

■ Uncle Bob Sampson Memorial Award - Uncle Jimmy Wright (posthumous)