Batchelor Institute’s Council, management and staff wish to express our deep sorrow at the passing of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG and offer our sincere condolences to Dr O’Donoghue’s family, friends and colleagues.

A proud Yankunytjatjara woman, Dr O’Donoghue defied the many barriers placed before her, first as a nurse and then in state, national and international affairs where she connected with many people across Australia and beyond. Dr O’Donoghue was the founding chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and played a key role in drafting the Native Title legislation that arose from the High Court’s historic Mabo decision. Named 1984 Australian of the Year, Dr O’Donoghue was the first Aboriginal person to address the United Nations General Assembly and the first Aboriginal woman to be appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

For the past 14 years Dr O’Donoghue has been the Patron and namesake of the Lowitja Institute reflecting her tireless work over many decades improving the health and life outcomes of Australia’s First Nations peoples. On the occasion of Dr O’Donoghue’s 90th birthday, The Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation was created to acknowledge, recognise, and preserve the extraordinary legacy of Dr O’Donoghue’s dedicated lifetime of work and continue to create opportunities for advancement and change.

Batchelor Institute Chair, and current Patron of the Lowitja Institute, Ms Pat Anderson AO said “We have lost a trailblazer, a great leader and one of our guiding lights. We mourn the loss of Dr O’Donoghue, and we will continue her important work. Truly, because of her we can”.

As a mark of our respect for Dr O’Donoghue our flags are at half mast and will remain at half mast until the day after Dr O’Donoghue’s funeral.

Vale Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG – 1 August 1932 – 4 February 2024