O'DONOGHUE, Dr Lowitja AC CBE DSG

The University of South Australia pays tribute to the incredible life of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, who passed away on Sunday 4 February.

One of the nation’s foremost Aboriginal leaders, Dr O’Donoghue was deeply devoted to the advancement of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

A Yankunytjatjara woman, Dr O’Donoghue was a widely respected and admired member of the UniSA family, and we were honoured when she became foundation patron and national patron of our Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre at its inception in 1997, a position she held until her passing.

A member of the Stolen Generations, Dr O’Donoghue’s early determination to overcome racial injustice saw her fight to become the first Aboriginal nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, one of many firsts she achieved during a remarkable life.

Dr O’Donoghue was the first Aboriginal person to address the UN General Assembly and the first to be named a Companion of the Order of Australia. She also served as the first chair of both the National Aboriginal Conference and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

During her distinguished term at ATSIC, Dr O’Donoghue worked with then Prime Minister Paul Keating to lead the drafting of the Native Title Act, following the High Court’s landmark 1992 decision on the Mabo Case.

Dr O'Donoghue was named a Commander of the British Empire in 1983, Australian of the Year in 1984, one of Australia's Living National Treasures in 1998, and became a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1999. UniSA welcomed her as a Doctor of the University in 1993, and in 2005 she received a Papal Award, Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great.

With profound respect and great sadness, we remember a leader and thinker of unrivalled integrity, determination, and passion, and extend our deepest condolences to all those close to Dr O’Donoghue.