Vale Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG (1932-2024)

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this article contains images of deceased persons.

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.

Widely regarded as a fearless, generous and inspirational leader, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue worked tirelessly throughout her life to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and advance the fight for justice and equality.

Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG. Image credit: Leanne King.

She forged a remarkable career beginning as a nurse in the 1950s, before later becoming a senior public servant in the South Australian government and the founding chairperson of the National Aboriginal Conference in the 1970s.

In 1990, she became the founding chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, during which time she delivered important advice regarding the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

She was also a leading member of the team who negotiated native title with the federal government following the Mabo decision in 1992, playing an instrumental role in the drafting of the Native Title Act 1993.

Dr O’Donoghue worked as chair of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, which was later named in her honour as the Lowitja Institute. Together with colleagues that included Professor Ian Anderson AO at the University of Melbourne, she ensured the long-term sustainability of the research program during its key formative years.

She was also an important mentor for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders early in their careers, including Professor Sandra Eades AO, the Deputy Dean Indigenous of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue leaves an extraordinary legacy, one that will be honoured through the continued work of many to improve the health and wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Her contributions and impact will be felt for many years to come.

On behalf of our staff and students, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences express our deepest sympathies to Dr O’Donoghue’s family, friends and colleagues.