2024 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - Aunty Dulcie Flower
This year, the National NAIDOC Committee is extremely honoured to announce Aunty Dulcie Flower as the 2024 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee, Dr Aunty Lynette Riley pays tribute to Aunty Dulcie as this year's recipient of the top award.
"The National Lifetime Achievement Award, is to recognise the impact a person makes in their lifetime to create change and provides a national impact for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in whatever sphere they have worked in. Aunty Dulcie Flower is someone who demonstrates this through all her work to ensure appropriate health care for all our people. Without her passion and consistent work, many of the changes and medical care we see today, would not have been made available for us all."
Aunty Dulcie Flower was born in 1938 and raised in Cairns. She worked in various industries, including nursing. In the 1960's Aunty Dulcie played a role with the Aborigines Progressive Association (APA) under the leadership of the late Bert Groves, which culminated in the 1967 Referendum to change the Commonwealth Constitution to:
- Recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as citizens in their own country;
- Be included in the Census;
- Have access to Commonwealth services; and
- Have the right to Vote in Commonwealth and State elections.
This meant that the current State legislation had to be repealed.
Aunty Dulcie was also a founding member, and of the Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative in Redfern, New South Wales and served as a Community Health Educator, and Director. She was also a founding member of Bangarra.
Aunty Dulcie has received numerous awards, and has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to the Indigenous communities around the Country. She was also an appointed member of the Torres Strait Advisory Board of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee, Mr Steven Satour acknowledges Aunty Dulcie's legacy.
"This NAIDOC we celebrate the incredible legacy of Aunty Dulcie Flower, a beacon of strength, wisdom, and cultural resilience. Her unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Indigenous culture has left an incredible mark on our nation. Aunty Dulcie's lifetime of advocacy, leadership, and community empowerment embodies the true spirit of NAIDOC. This award is a testament to her tireless efforts in championing Indigenous rights and fostering reconciliation. She is a true inspiration to us all."
The National NAIDOC Committee congratulates Aunty Dulcie on her lifetime of achievements and we thank her for the ongoing commitment and dedication she has made towards improving the rights and lives of First Nations people around the Country.