The Government has unveiled the first of an initial six statues to memorialise prominent Aboriginal South Australians acknowledging their extraordinary contributions to our communities and our State.
If we look around our cities, the physical landscape tells a story. But for a long time, it has been an incomplete story. The statues and monuments at the heart of our towns and cities have been almost exclusively about the history and stories of post European settlement in Australia, and almost exclusively of non-Aboriginal people.
This starts the process of telling a much broader story of the role of Aboriginal leadership that has shaped and continues to shape modern Australia.
The legacy of trailblazing Yankunytjatjara woman Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG is the first to be honoured, with the unveiling of a bronze statue at Tarntanya Wama (Elder Park) today.
The statue of Dr O'Donoghue was designed by renowned artist Robert Hannaford AM, and is the first of a series to be established by the State Government to recognise the achievements of outstanding leaders of the South Australian Aboriginal community.
Dr O'Donoghue has led the way for Aboriginal women from an early age – in her early 20s, she was the first Aboriginal person to train as a nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and in 1977, she was the first Aboriginal woman to be appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, later elevated to Companion of the Order of Australia.
Among many other achievements, in 1990, Dr O'Donoghue was appointed the inaugural Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, ATSIC and in 1992, she was the first Aboriginal person to address the United Nations General Assembly.
Work is now underway on the next statue in the series, with the Government committing one-million-dollars to six statues in total, celebrating the lives and legacies of Dr O'Donoghue, David Unaipon, Gladys Elphick, Garnett Wilson, Dr Alice Alitya Rigney and Yami Lester.
As put by Peter Malinauskas
This Government is committed to honouring the legacy of those members of the Aboriginal community who have made such a significant contribution, not just to the lives of Aboriginal South Australians, but all South Australians.
In partnership with the City of Adelaide, we are working to deliver six statues honouring six extraordinary individuals to help future generations of South Australians to understand and be inspired by their groundbreaking legacy.
As put by Kyam Maher
Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue was a remarkable woman who dedicated so much of her life to being a champion for the rights, health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and I can think of no better way to pay tribute to her incredible contribution, than this statue honouring her legacy.
I can foresee the sense pride for young Aboriginal people, who come to the centre of their capital city and see themselves reflected better in public spaces for the first time, to see these sorts of statues of their people, their culture and the immense achievements they represent.
This initiative is a powerful statement about reconciliation and is also important for non-Aboriginal people. To have these statues located in such a prominent location where hundreds of thousands of people traverse will elevate curiosity and questions on who these remarkable people were, leading to a greater understanding of Aboriginal history, contribution and achievement.
As put by Head of Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation, Deb Edwards
Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue was a proud South Australian. A Yankunytjatjara woman of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands of north-west South Australia, whose significant contributions over many decades, reflect her enduring commitment to Aboriginal people and communities, and, to her home state.
Our family deeply appreciates this recognition, and we know that Dr O'Donoghue would be profoundly moved to be memorialised on Kaurna Country for a higher purpose.
The inspirational achievements and legacies of Aboriginal leaders who created pathways and opened doors in this state, will now be powerfully symbolised for our young people and future leaders to follow. Dr O'Donoghue's story empowers us all to stand up and be counted.
As put by Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Dr Jane Lomax-Smith
The City of Adelaide is proud to be a critical partner in a project that reflects our commitment to reconciliation.
Today is a very special day as we recognise a nationally significant Aboriginal leader during National Reconciliation Week.
I'm honoured to join Dr O'Donoghue's family and friends as we celebrate a remarkable life that was dedicated to the service of her community.
Council is delighted to have been able to fund the installation of Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue's statue.
I thank our staff for their help in identifying the sites for all six statues and look forward to celebrating the recognition of the remaining five leaders.
About Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG (1932 – 2024)
- Yankunytjatjara / Pitjantjatjara woman, born near De Rose Hill, South Australia (SA). At age two years she and two sisters were removed from their mother and taken to Colebrook Children's Home at Quorn, Flinders Ranges SA, where they were reunited with their eldest sister and only brother.
- First Aboriginal person to train as a nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, achieving triple certificate qualifications in nursing, midwifery, and mental health. As a nurse she practiced in remote and regional areas of SA, and in India for the Australian Baptist Missionary Society.
- First Aboriginal woman to become a Member of the Order of Australia and the first Aboriginal person to address the United Nations General Assembly.
- In 1991, appointed the inaugural Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).
- Co-founder and Secretary of the Council of Aboriginal Women of South Australia, and an active campaigner for the 1967 Referendum.
- In 1983, invested as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for service to the Aboriginal community.
- 1984 Australian of the Year.1998, declared an Australian National Living Treasure.
- Received numerous awards and honours throughout her service, patron to numerous institutions, also serving on numerous Boards and Committees.
- 1999 invested as Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for public service through leadership to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the areas of human rights and social justice.
- In 2006, invested as Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great (DSG), a Papal Honour by Pope John Paul II.
- In 2009, honoured with the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2010, the Lowitja Institute is established as Australia's only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research institute.
- In 2022, commemorating her 90th birthday, the establishment of the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation is announced to acknowledge, recognise, and preserve the extraordinary legacy of Dr O'Donoghue's dedicated lifetime of work through the creation of opportunities for advancement and change for First Nations people.
