Dr Lowitja ODonoghue Cause of Death and Obituary: The Founding Chair of ATSIC, Passed Away
Dr Lowitja ODonoghue, one of Australia’s most celebrated and influential Indigenous leaders, has passed away at the age of 91. The Yankunytjatjara woman, who dedicated her life to fighting for the rights and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, died peacefully on Kaurna Country in Adelaide with her family by her side.
Who was Dr Lowitja ODonoghue?
Dr Lowitja ODonoghue was born on August 1, 1932, in a remote area of South Australia. She was one of the Stolen Generations, forcibly removed from her family at the age of two and placed in a mission. Despite the hardships and discrimination she faced, she pursued her education and became a nurse, the first Aboriginal person to do so in South Australia.
She then embarked on a remarkable career of public service and advocacy, holding various positions in the health, welfare, and education sectors. She was the founding chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), the first national body to represent Indigenous Australians. She was also a member of the Australian Republic Advisory Committee, the Aboriginal Negotiating Team for Native Title Legislation, and the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
Dr ODonoghue received numerous awards and honours for her achievements, including being named Australian of the Year in 1984, receiving the Companion of the Order of Australia in 1999, and being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of South Australia in 2003. She also established the Lowitja ODonoghue Foundation in 2023, a charitable organisation that supports Indigenous health, education, and leadership.
What was the cause of her death?
Dr ODonoghue had been battling ill health for several years, suffering from diabetes, kidney failure, and dementia. She had been living in a nursing home in Adelaide, where she received regular visits from her family and friends. She passed away on February 4, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.
Her family issued a statement announcing her death and paying tribute to her legacy. They said: “Our Aunty and Nana was the Matriarch of our family, whom we have loved and looked up to our entire lives. We adored and admired her when we were young and have grown up full of never-ending pride as she became one of the most respected and influential Aboriginal leaders this country has ever known.”
They added: “Aunty Lowitja dedicated her entire lifetime of work to the rights, health, and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We thank and honour her for all that she has done — for all the pathways she created, for all the doors she opened, for all the issues she tackled head-on, for all the tables she sat at and for all the arguments she fought and won.”
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How is she being remembered?
Dr ODonoghue’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and admiration from across the nation and beyond. Many prominent figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Scott Morrison, Governor-General David Hurley, and Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt, have expressed their condolences and praised her contributions.
Prime Minister Albanese said: “Lowitja O’Donoghue was one of the most remarkable leaders this country has ever known. From the earliest days of her life, Dr O’Donoghue endured discrimination that would have given her every reason to lose faith in her country. Yet she never did. With an unwavering instinct for justice and a profound desire to bring the country she loved closer together, Dr O’Donoghue was at the heart of some of the moments that carried Australia closer to the better future she knew was possible for us, among them the Apology to the Stolen Generation and the 1967 referendum.”
Indigenous Affairs Minister Wyatt said: “Dr O’Donoghue was a trailblazer, a visionary, and a tireless advocate for her people. She was a role model and a mentor for many Indigenous Australians, especially women and young people. She was a voice of wisdom, courage, and compassion. She was a true leader who made a lasting difference for our nation.”
Dr ODonoghue’s funeral will be held in Adelaide on a date to be confirmed. Her family has requested that donations be made to the Lowitja ODonoghue Foundation in lieu of flowers. They have also thanked the public for their respect and support during this difficult time.
