Great Australian Speeches: Lowitja O’Donoghue at the National Congress of Australia’s First People

Dr Lowitja Lois O'Donoghue Smart AC CBE DSG, is a lauded Aboriginal Australian and retired public administrator. In 1976, Dr O'Donoghue was the first Aboriginal woman to be inducted into the new Order of Australia, in recognition of her work in the welfare field. She was named Australian of the Year in 1984, for her work to improve the welfare of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. From 1990 to 1996 she was the inaugural chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and was invested as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) on 26 January 1999. This is Dr O'Donoghue's speech opening the National Congress of Australia’s First People on 8 June 2011, read by Shareena Clanton. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this recording may contain names and words of deceased persons.