Honouring the life of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue

Monash University and the William Cooper Institute are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue.

Over the course of her extraordinary life, Dr O’Donoghue had an immeasurable impact on improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. She dismantled barriers in the Australian healthcare system as a nurse and inspired generations of Indigenous Australians to pursue education and leadership roles. As a leader in the Australian public sector, Dr. O'Donoghue tirelessly advocated for Indigenous rights, social justice and reconciliation.

As we continue to strive for better outcomes in health and education through our work at the William Cooper Institute and the Gukwunderuk Indigenous Health Unit, we are reminded of Dr O’Donoghue’s legacy. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the history of this country, and her legacy continues to inspire efforts toward reconciliation and empowerment for many future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our deepest condolences to Dr O’Donoghue’s family and community at this time.

Learn more about the life and works of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG here: https://www.lowitja.org.au/