A Yawuru man from Broome, Patrick Dodson’s informal title – the Father of Reconciliation – is well deserved after his successful leadership of the movement over many decades. In this role he demonstrated great passion and determination.

In many ways Senator Dodson’s life mirrors the advances the First Nations rights movement has championed over the decades.

His early days were marked by poverty, disempowerment, and racism; like so many other Aboriginal kids he spent time hiding from police and welfare officials trying to steal him away from his family.

From these hard times he ascended to great heights in Australian public life, but always in roles which advanced the rights and interests of his people.

He first came into the national spotlight as a Commissioner with the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody which recommended the urgent need for a formal process of reconciliation between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

He went on to become the inaugural Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR), the predecessor to Reconciliation Australia, which was established in response to that recommendation. His wisdom and patience in that role is fondly remembered by all who worked with him.

More recently, as a Senator for Western Australia, he was appointed the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in the Albanese Government.

Patrick Dodson has been a giant in Australia public life for decades, truly deserving of the title, Father of Reconciliation. His contribution to reconciliation and the struggle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights is legendary.

Reconciliation Australia’s Board and staff wish Senator Dodson all the very best of luck as he leaves the Parliament and thank him for his outstanding contribution.

We suspect Australia will continue to benefit from his counsel as he heads into retirement.