Pat Anderson AO
Pat Anderson AO, an Alyawarre woman and powerful advocate for the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Indigenous peoples globally, retired as Lowitja Institute chairperson after nearly 20 years in the role, and was honoured as co-patron in 2021.
Pat grew up in Parap Camp, a community on the outskirts of Darwin that was home to many other Aboriginal families. Pat has led national and international efforts to achieve justice for First Nations people as well as key health organisations including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory.
With an extensive career spanning community development, service delivery, policy formation, and research ethics, Pat was instrumental in the founding and development of Lowitja Institute. She was its chair for almost two decades, and is now co-patron, alongside our namesake, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue.
Pat was appointed an 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. She co-chaired the inquiry which resulted in the 2007 Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle: Little Children are Sacred report on the protection of Aboriginal children from sexual abuse.
Pat was Co-Chair of the Prime Minister’s Referendum Council that released its final report in 2017. In partnership with Professor Megan Davis and Noel Pearson, Pat co-chaired the Uluru Dialogues that led to the Constitutional Convention, and the issuing of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017. In November 2022, Pat with Professor Megan Davis and Noel Pearson accepted the 2021-22 Sydney Peace Prize on behalf of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Pat was honoured with a NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, recognising a lifetime of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice advocacy.
