Patricia Anderson AO

Co-Chair, Alyawarre

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 has extensive experience in Aboriginal health, including community development, policy formation and research ethics. She 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. In 2018, the national NAIDOC Committee recognised Ms Anderson's life-long contribution with the Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2021 she was awarded the ACT Senior Australian of the Year. Ms Anderson was Co-Chair of the Referendum Council that released its final report in 2017,and has since led the work of the Uluru Dialogue in partnership with the ILC UNSW.