In 2018, Nikki Trigwell and Cohen Taylor were cadets in the West Australia Police.
But a broken arm saw Ms Trigwell leave the force, and the pair split ways.
Four years later, at Perth's Crown Casino the pair were crowned Miss and Mr NAIDOC Perth for 2022.
Mr and Miss NAIDOC are chosen from participants who undertake a 6-week leadership and empowerment program and is made for people aged 18-30.
"We went through cadets, and like we knew each other and I knew she lived around. When she left I was like alright cool, might not ever see you again — next minute we get crowned together," laughed Mr Taylor.
"When we were up on stage, we couldn't look at each other without laughing.
"It was really nice to have that moment."
Mr Taylor and Ms Trigwell at the NAIDOC event on Saturday night at Crown in Perth. Source: Miss NAIDOC Perth Facebook
Miss NAIDOC Perth: Nikki Trigwell
Ms Trigwell didn’t expect to be named the winner, rather joining the leadership program for the opportunity to strengthen her voice.
"I didn't go into the program to win. I went into it to become more of a leader and understand all the different ways to have leadership skills. I wanted to listen to everyone else's voice too,” she said.
“I've made amazing friends out of it, they are all my sisters. I've got them forever now.
Taking the title was a 'jaw on the floor' moment.
"Honestly I couldn't believe it ... you always have your little dreams. But I just knew that if I spoke from the heart about the things I believe in and talk about what I want to change — I'd have a good chance,” she said.
The opportunity allows the Yinjibarndi woman to put a spotlight on a cause close to her — children in care.
The 21-year-old cares for her nephew, two-year-old Angus.
"I look after my nephew, he is a child in care. He's two years old,” she said.
"Taking that step to look after Angus was really big. He deserves the life that I have, and I want to help him have that.
"I did come from a loving family, but there were hard things. Where I am today, is because I've done that myself. Promoting the need for change is so good. I want to show people that you can change your outcome.”
Ms Trigwell had to change the course of her life after she injured her arm as a police cadet.
"That was always my childhood dream ... and so I had to do something else," she said.
"I didn't want to sit behind a computer desk, I wanted to do something bigger. And what I do now hits the nail on the head."
Now, Ms Trigwell works for the mining company FMG in heritage protection.
Working with Traditional Owners and close to culture, for her is the "best job in the world".
"I think it's really good to be in this space, particularly after what happened with Rio Tinto,” she said.
"It's been very hard to work with some Traditional Owners groups, but it's been really nice to be part of building a good culture where I work.
"It's like a big family, we all really support each other. I love working with community and learning."
21-year-old, Yinjibarndi woman and Miss Perth NAIDOC 2022, Nikki Trigwell. Source: Kearyn Cox
Mr NAIDOC Perth: Cohen Wade Taylor
Mr Taylor pursued a career in the police force and is now a uniformed officer.
"The police have had a terrible relationship with my community for years. Things have been tried, but that trust still isn't there,” he told NITV News.
"Me doing this is trying to bridge that gap between police and my community.”
Growing up, Mr Taylor lived next door to a police officer — who inspired his decision to put on the uniform.
“I was really privileged to live next door to a police officer when I was young, I didn't grow up sacred. But when I joined my family members who have had those bad experiences were worried for me,” he said.
For Mr Taylor, the job is only one aspect of who he is.
“When I got into the cadets, I saw and felt what it meant for my community to have a Noongar/Yamatji person in this uniform,” he said.
“I want to change the way people see this uniform.
“I’m a Noongar/Yamatji man first, and a police officer second.”
Mr Taylor came across the Mr NAIDOC Perth opportunity by accident, never expecting to end up taking out the title.
"My friend sent me the application; I knew what Miss NAIDOC was. Every backfulla knows what Miss NAIDOC is. I saw Mr NAIDOC and thought it would be a great opportunity, a great platform to share my story and hope that my story can reach others and help others,” he said.
Despite his warm personality, the Perth boy struggled to fit in throughout high school and feared his job would backfire on his competition chances.
“I went in knowing that because I’m a police officer, some may not like me,” he said.
“But as soon as we all met on day one, all the boys became my brother boys. We formed a bond, it’s a brotherhood.
“These brothers, they're so special because they're all trying to make things better for our community and our mob.”
Like Ms Trigwell, Mr Taylor has a new lifelong family.
“We all shared our stories, and I know now that all my brothers and sister girls, they have my back, they support me — I support them,” he said.
23-year-old, Noongar/Yamatji man and Mr Perth NAIDOC 2020, Cohen Taylor Source: Kearyn Cox
