LOWITJA - A LIFE OF LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY

The life and influence of Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG 

To coincide with the close of National Reconciliation Week 2025, a landmark exhibition honouring one of Australia's most celebrated Aboriginal leaders, the late Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue, will open next week on Wednesday June 4 at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, University of South Australia.
 

The exhibition, titled LOWITJA - A Life of Leadership and Legacy, will run through to July 25 2025 and features never-before-seen images, video, memorabilia and personal correspondence drawn from the late Dr O'Donoghue's extensive archive. 

Presented in partnership by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation and Lowitja Institute, the exhibition reflects the extraordinary life and enduring national influence of the Yankunytjatjara woman  whom woman many regard as the greatest Aboriginal leader of the modern era.
 

Timed just one day after National Reconciliation Week ends (May 27 - June 3), and ahead of NAIDOC Week 2025 (July 6 - 13), the exhibition provides an opportunity for schools, organisations, and the wider public to reflect, learn and celebrate a life lived in service of justice, health and human rights.
 

Curated by Lowitja's niece and Foundation Head, Deb Edwards, the exhibition reveals an intimate and powerful view of Dr O'Donoghue's journey, from her early years as a Stolen Generations child through to her achievements as a trailblazer in health and Indigenous affairs. Items on display include rare footage, historical documents, unique personal tokens and personally signed memorabilia from global figures such as Paul Keating, Martin Luther King III and Cathy Freeman.
 

Highlights include:

• Early photographs of Lowitja as a young woman and with family
• Photos and certificates from during her pioneering nursing career at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, on the APY Lands and in India
• Footage and images from milestone moments such as her leadership at ATSIC, involvement in the Native Title legislation negotiations and her major role at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
• Vision from speeches and interviews that defined her public voice

Lowitja - A Life Of Leadership and Legacy is also proudly supported by new partners Adelaide Airport and The Healing Foundation. The Healing Foundation is the national body that supports Stolen Generations survivors — the tens of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and children taken from loving family, community, culture and Country from the mid-1800s until the 1980s in Australia. The Healing Foundation also support Stolen Generations organisations that tirelessly support survivors on the ground. It was established in response to the Bringing them home report published in 1997. Dr O'Donoghue was a fundamental advocate and supporter of this vital work.
 

To enhance your visit, guided group tours are available on select dates, presented by Deb Edwards. This rare opportunity offers not only a deeper insight into an extraordinary life dedicated to advancing the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but also a personal perspective that makes the experience especially meaningful.
 

The exhibition provides an enriching educational excursion for school groups, offering students a powerful introduction to the life and legacy of one of Australia's most influential Aboriginal leaders. Through engaging storytelling, historical artefacts, and multimedia displays, students will gain a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and the ongoing journey toward justice and equity.

ATTRIBUTABLE QUOTES:

"We are honoured to present LOWITJA - A Life of Leadership and Legacy, celebrating Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG, whose unwavering advocacy for justice, health and equality helped transform our nation. This exhibition holds special meaning for The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, recognising Lowitja's enduring connection to the late Honourable Bob Hawke AC and as a past Hawke Centre Patron. We invite you to reflect on her legacy." - 

Jacinta Thompson, Executive Director & Events and Exhibitions Producer, The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre

"It is the greatest honour and privilege to access the personal collection of historic memorabilia and archives belonging to my Aunt, Yankunytjatjara woman, the late Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG. As Curator of LOWITJA - A Life of Leadership and Legacy, the wealth of incredible material to choose from for this inaugural exhibition, demonstrates the depth and richness of her extraordinary life. We warmly welcome you and look forward to remembering and celebrating the legacy of Dr O'Donoghue here on Kaurna Country in her home state of South Australia." - Deb Edwards, Exhibition Curator and Head of Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation

Media Contact:
Erin Jameson  |  erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com  |  +61 419 323 663

View all media assets and high-res images here .

LOWITJA - A Life of Leadership and Legacy
The life and influence of Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG
Wednesday June 4 - Friday July 25 2025
Kerry Packer Civic Gallery
The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA
Level 3, Hawke Building, 55 North Terrace, Adelaide SA
(Kaurna Country)

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm (closed weekends and public holidays)
Entry: Free
For more information, visit:  The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre

Group guided tours: Available for limited dates from June 10 through to and across NAIDOC Week. Bookings through Humanitix. 
Schools excursions:  While school groups are welcome any time throughout the exhibition, we recommend teachers notify us before attending to avoid possible delays due to restricted capacity. Kindly email foundation@lowitja.org.au and we will ensure your visit is comfortable.  

For more information about the late Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG and the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation:

Email us at foundation@lowitja.org.au 

Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation

For more information about Lowitja Institute:

Lowitja Institute