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Media release: NAIDOC Week shines a light on the legacy of Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue

Announcement posted by Jameson & Co 02 Jul 2025

LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy | Open now until July 25 | The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, UniSA | Free Entry

As National NAIDOC Week 2025 approaches, the acclaimed exhibition LOWITJA - A Life of Leadership and Legacy offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on this year's theme: "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy."
 

Since opening in early June, the landmark exhibition has welcomed a steady stream of group bookings, school excursions and public visitors, eager to pay tribute to one of Australia's greatest Aboriginal leaders - the late Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG.
 

Curated by her niece and Foundation Head, Deb Edwards, LOWITJA is a deeply personal and nationally significant exhibition. It presents rare photographs, video, memorabilia and never-before-seen correspondence drawn from Dr O'Donoghue's extensive archive, tracing her extraordinary journey from Stolen Generations child to nurse, to trailblazing reformer and respected national figure.
 

The exhibition was officially opened by Her Excellency The Hon Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia and The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia.
 

When visiting Kaurna Country recently, longtime friend and colleague of Dr O'Donoghue, Professor Jackie Huggin AM spent time at the exhibition and commented,"An incredible and loving legacy for one of our greatest leaders. May her spirit live on." Professor Huggins was recently announced by ABC as its inaugural Elder-In-Residence. 
 

During NAIDOC Week (July 6-13), media are invited to visit the exhibition and schedule a time to speak with Deb Edwards, who now serves as custodian of her aunt's legacy.
 

"How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lead for and with their communities with the same passion and resilience as Lowitja did? 
Will her legacy be carried on through future generations?"
 

These are the questions that have been raised through the exhibition, public talks and educational outreach.
 

Presented in partnership by the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation, the Lowitja Institute and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre at UniSA's City West campus - and proudly supported by the Government of South Australia, Adelaide Airport and The Healing Foundation - LOWITJA offers a timely reminder of the Yankunytjatjara woman's extraordinary contribution to this country.
 

From her pioneering work in health equity and human rights to her role in nation-shaping events like the Native Title legislation negotiations and Sydney 2000 Olympics, Dr O'Donoghue's story continues to inspire.
 

Guided group tours led by Deb Edwards are available on select dates across NAIDOC Week, through until the exhibition closing date on July 25. Bookings can be made via Humanitix and foundation@lowitja.org.au
 

This NAIDOC Week, we invite you to reflect, learn and celebrate - and to ask how we carry forward the legacy of a true national icon.

 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES & INTERVIEW REQUESTS
Erin Jameson | erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com | +61 419 323 663 
Download images here.

 

EXHIBITION DETAILS
LOWITJA - A Life of Leadership and Legacy
June 4 - 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)
Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm | Free entry

Media Contacts

Erin Jameson

Publicist/Tour promoter

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