About Pat Anderson AO

Pat Anderson is an Alyawarre woman known nationally and internationally as an advocate for the rights and health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Ms Anderson, who grew up on a camp outside Darwin in the 1950s, has led Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, investigations and campaigns, in the Northern Territory and nationally, as well as international efforts to achieve social justice for First Nations people. As well as being CEO of the Danila Dilba Health Service in Darwin and Chairperson of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), she co-chaired the Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle: 'Little Children are Sacred' inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse. She is the immediate past Chair of the Lowitja Institute and has extensive experience in Aboriginal health, including community development, policy formation and research ethics. She was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014 for distinguished service to the Indigenous community as a social justice advocate, particularly through promoting improved health, and educational and protection outcomes for children. In recognition of her life-long work and contributions to the community, she has received several honours and awards. These include the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award; the 2017 Public Health Association of Australia’s Sidney Sax Public Health Medal; the 2012 Human Rights Community Individual Award (Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Award); the Human Rights Medal in 2016 by the Australian Human Rights Commission; and she won the public policy category for the 2015 Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence Awards.