Gurrumul sweeps Deadlys

Gurrumul took home three gongs - for single of the year, album of the year and artist of the year - at the Deadly Awards, which honour excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, sport, entertainment, the arts and community achievement.

The shy singer thrilled guests at the awards ceremony at the Sydney Opera House, singing Djarimirri from his self-titled album.

Gurrumul`s friend and collaborator Michael Hohnen, speaking on his behalf, said the awards meant a lot him.

"When we were here a few years ago and (The Pigram Brothers` album) Saltwater (Country) won, we were sitting up in the balcony and he almost jumped out off the balcony - so it`s pretty big," Hohnen said.

"It is really important because it`s really paying respects to all the Yolngu of the country, all of the Aboriginal people of the country ... he`s got as many fans in the Aboriginal world.

"It`s not the ARIAs but it`s just as special."

Gurrumul recently won an ARIA fine arts award and is nominated for three more ARIAs later this month.

Hohnen said Gurrumul still wasn`t adjusting to the attention.

"It`s actually quite daunting - a bit of an affront really from what he`s used to," Hohnen said.

In the sports category of the Deadlys, Rabbitohs NRL player Chris Sandow picked up most promising new talent, while basketballers Patrick Mills and Rohanee Cox won male and female sportspeople of the year.

Hawthorn`s Lance Franklin picked up the AFL gong and Melbourne Storm`s Greg Inglis was recognised in the rugby league category.

In the arts category, Leah Purcell was named actor of the year and Steven Page from the Bangarra Dance Theatre was also recognised.

Australian Idol 2006 runner-up Jessica Mauboy performed her new song Running Back at the ceremony, which also included Idol alumni Casey Donovan.

"This is huge for me and to be able to sing my own song," Mauboy told AAP.

"I just want to show that things do get better as long as you work really hard and keep your mind focused, and tonight is going to be a great night."

Winners at the 2008 Deadly Awards

MUSIC
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
Jimmy Little Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music - Auriel Andrew
APRA Song of the Year Jodie Cockatoo-Creed & Andrew Farris - Never Let You Go

SPORT
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
The Ella Lifetime Achievement Award 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 - Steven Page - Bangarra Dance Theatre
Actor of the Year - Leah Purcell
Visual Artist of the Year - Michael Cook

COMMUNITY
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 Yea - Matthew Cooke - Nhulundu Wooribah Indigenous Health Organisation, QLD