Ongoing support for the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation
Lowitja Institute welcomes the recent announcement by the Australian Government for its ongoing support to enable the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation to offer scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Honourable Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians, today announced at the Close the Gap Campaign Report 2024 launch at Parliament House, the Albanese Government would contribute $3.5 million of funding over three years to support the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The joint funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency and Department of Health and Aged Care would contribute towards Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation scholarships to support and grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce at a national level.
Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG was a proud Yankunytjatjara woman, patron and founding chair of Lowitja Institute – Australia’s only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health research institute.
Taungurung man Paul Stewart, Interim CEO at the Lowitja Institute, said that the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation acknowledges, recognises and preserves the amazing legacy of Dr O’Donoghue.
‘From a young age, Dr O’Donoghue broke down many barriers and stood up for the rights of our people. These scholarships will help create pathways so that more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the opportunities Aunty Lowitja fought so strongly for.
‘Lowitja Institute is proud to be able to continue her legacy for the health and wellbeing of our peoples.’
The Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation was established in Dr O’Donoghue’s honour to mark her 90th birthday in 2022. On 4 February 2024, Dr O’Donoghue died peacefully, surrounded by her family, and this announcement honours her continuing legacy.
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