Aboriginal and Torres Strait Community Heroes

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Community Heroes

Posted on By Jessica Staines

During Superhero week we want to share some heroes from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait community

Patrick Dodson

Patrick Dodson is a Yawuru man from Broome in Western Australia.

He has dedicated his life work to being an advocate for constructive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples based on mutual respect, understanding and dialogue.

He is a recipient of the Sydney International Peace prize.

Learn more about Patrick Dodson here

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts

A proud Bundjalung woman, advocate for Human Rights and culturally based equity for Aboriginal children and families. Combined Law and Social work degree at the University of New South Wales.

2019 Australia’s young person’s human rights medal recipient.

Learn more about Vanessa here

Corey Tutt

NSW State Recipient Young Australian of The Year 2020

Through his organisation, Deadly Science, proud Kamilaroi man Corey Tutt gathers donations of science resources, and sends them to remote schools around Australia.

As well as receiving book donations from high-profile scientists such as Professor Brian Cox and Doctor Karl Kruszelnicki, Corey has raised more than $33,000 to purchase books and equipment, and distributed more than 4,300 books and 70 telescopes.

He is engaged with over 90 schools around Australia. In a recent survey, these schools showed a 25% increase in engagement in STEM-related subjects. Deadly Science has given 28 Deadly Junior Scientist Awards, encouraging young Indigenous kids to follow their dreams.

Learn more about Corey Tutt and Deadly Science here

Thomas Mayor

Thomas Mayor is a Torres Strait Islander man born on Larrakia country in Darwin. As an Islander growing up on the mainland, he learned to hunt traditional foods with his father and to island dance from the Darwin community of Torres Strait Islanders. In high school, Thomas’s English teacher suggested he should become a writer. He didn’t think then that he would become one of the first ever Torres Strait Islander authors to have a book published for the general trade.

As he gained the skills of negotiation and organising in the union movement, he applied those skills to advancing the rights of Indigenous peoples, becoming a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a tireless campaigner

Learn more about Thomas Mayor here

Finding Our Heart by Thomas Mayor

Freedom Day - Thomas Mayor, Rosie Smiler, Samantha Campbell

Dear Son : Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons - Thomas Mayor

Finding the Heart of the Nation: Journey of the Uluru Statement Towards Voice, Treaty and Truth - Thomas Mayor

Clothing the Gaps

Clothing The Gaps creates merch with a message that sparks conversations. They make clothes that influence social change by uniting people (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) through fashion and a cause.

They are committed to using our brand and platform to campaign, educate and elevate Aboriginal peoples' voices and causes.

As a social enterprise, they use business as a vehicle to fund and support the work of Clothing The Gaps Foundation. The Foundation was established in March 2021 to move away from traditional funding models.

Learn more about Clothing the Gaps here

June Oscar AO

June Oscar AO is a proud Bunuba woman from the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous Australian languages, social justice, women’s issues, and has worked tirelessly to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

June has held a raft of influential positions including Deputy Director of the Kimberley Land Council, chair of the Kimberley Language Resource Centre and the Kimberley Interpreting Service and Chief Investigator with WA’s Lililwan Project addressing FASD .

Learn more: about June Oscar AO here

Cheree Toka

Cheree Toka, a 26-year-old Kamilaroy woman, is calling on the state government to erect the traditional Aboriginal flag at the peak of the bridge on an ongoing basis, rather than just on ceremonial occasions.

Learn more and contribute to Cheree’s Go Fund Me here