Professor Lowitja O’Donoghue AC, CBE is a member of the Yunkunytjatjara peoples of Central Australia. Her life’s work is a testimony to her devotion to standing up for and speaking on behalf of the interests of Aboriginal people.

Her first career was nursing, a position that would begin a lifetime of public service which continues today. The numerous awards bestowed on her signify her contribution to the nation and her standing in the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community:

• 1977 Member Order of Australia
• 1982 Advance Australia Award
• 1983 Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• 1984 Australian of the Year
• 1992 SA Great Award
• 1993 Honorary Doctorate: Murdoch University, WA
• 1993 Honorary Doctorate: University of South Australia, SA
• 1995 Honorary Doctorate: Australian National University, ACT
• 1995 Honorary Fellowship: Royal College of Nursing, Australia
• 1996 Honorary Doctorate: Queensland University of Technology, Queensland
• 1996 Honorary Doctorate: Flinders University of South Australia
• 1998 Honorary Fellowship: Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• 1998 Australian Living National Treasure
• 1999 Companion of the Order of Australia
• 2000 Honorary Professional Fellow: Flinders University of South Australia
• 2000 Olympic Order

Lowitja was the Inaugural Chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) from 1990-1996.

She is a Patron of many health, welfare and social justice organisations, including, more recently, Australians for Just Refugee Programs.

In 2005 she was bestowed the Papal Award from Pope Benedict XVI: Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great for her distinguished leadership of the Aboriginal community and her compassion for the vulnerable in society.

She continues to maintain a busy national schedule with committee work and as a public speaker.