Ten outstanding Aboriginal leaders who have worked tirelessly for their communities have been inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll at a ceremony in Melbourne.

The Honour Roll celebrates the wide ranging achievements of Aboriginal people, past and present. The 2016 ceremony marked the sixth year of the Honour Roll with a total of 89 Aboriginal Victorians inducted.

This year’s inductees show the diversity of contributions made by Aboriginal people to their community and Victoria.

They include a leader who strived to maintain Aboriginal culture and identity during Victoria’s colonial period, ground breaking advocates for social justice and dedicated community leaders who continue to play an active role today:

• Gwen Atkinson
• John Baxter
• Angela Clarke
• Frances Gallagher
• Clara Luttrell-Garisau (1933-1999)
• Judy Jackson
• Mary Jane Gunyuk Milawa (1830-1888)
• Pamela Pedersen
• Glen Peters (1951-2015)
• Barbara Walker (1927-2012).

Their personal stories will be added to the Honour Roll, which is on permanent display in the Victorian Parliament.

Read their stories at www.vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins

“The Honour Roll acknowledges and celebrates the wide ranging contribution of Aboriginal people who have made Victoria a better place for us all.”

“Every inductee has strived to make their community a stronger and fairer place – they deserve our respect, gratitude and recognition.”