Cast your vote in the 2013 Deadly Awards

The finalists have been announced for the 2013 Deadly Awards and people are encouraged to get online and cast their vote.

ABC TV’s award-winning drama Redfern Now is a multiple finalist across the acting and television categories, along with award-winning director Ivan Sen’s Mystery Road and Satellite Boy starring the iconic David Gulpilil.

For Male Artist of the Year, which recognises the achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, voters will have to decide between Archie Roach, Dan Sultan,Troy Cassar-Daley, Gurrumul and Frank Yamma.

The Female Artist of the Year finalists include some big names too: Jessica Mauboy, Shellie Morris, Christine Anu, Casey Donovan and a surprise finalist, Simone Stacey, the former Shakaya singer who returned to the spotlight this year with a run on Channel 9’s The Voice.

Reflecting on the year that was in sport, Adam Goodes and Swans team-mate Lewis Jetta are up for AFL player of the year. They’re joined by Cyril Rioli, Eddie Betts and Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin.

There were no surprises in the NRL Player of the Year category, with 2013 NAIDOC Sportsperson of the Year Johnathan Thurston a finalist, joining Rabbitohs’ Nathan Merritt and league legend Greg Inglis. Sam Thaiday from Brisbane and the Bulldogs’ Ben Barba are also finalists.

NFL draftee Jesse ‘Tha Monster’ Williams and the first Indigenous basketballer to play in the NBA finals, Patrick Mills, are finalists in the Male Sportsperson of the Year category, joining two-time world champion boxer Daniel Geale, rugby union’s Kurtley Beale and soccer’s Jade North.

Across the arts, Australia’s best Indigenous dancers, artists and writers are well represented. South Australian writer Ali Cobby Eckermann is a finalist with her memoir Too Afraid to Cry, which tells her story as a Stolen Generations’ survivor.

Pioneering Indigenous award-winning writer Bruce Pascoe is also a finalist with his story for lower primary-school readers, Fog a Dox – a story about courage, acceptance and respect.

The Deadly Award categories of Health, Education, Employment, Broadcasting, Science, Journalism and Cultural Advancement are packed with achievers who go quietly about their business, making a real difference each day in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Voting is open until 18 August 2013 and winners will be announced at the Deadly Awards Ceremony on 10 September 2013 at the Sydney Opera House.