Yoorrook congratulates Aunty Eleanor Bourke and fellow nominees for the National NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year Award

Yoorrook Justice Commission Chair Professor Eleanor Bourke AM has been nominated for the 2025 National NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year Award. The Wergaia and Wamba Wamba Elder was nominated alongside Aunty Ellen Trevorrow and Aunty Rosalie Kickett.

A deeply respected community leader, Elder and advocate for truth-telling and justice, Professor Bourke’s nomination recognises decades of tireless work dedicated to advancing the rights, wellbeing and cultural strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission—Australia’s first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices against First Peoples—Professor Bourke has led with wisdom, integrity and an unwavering commitment to truth, healing and systemic reform.

Yoorrook Justice Commission CEO Cindy Penrose said:

“Aunty Eleanor’s leadership is a guiding force in the work of truth-telling. Her deep cultural knowledge, compassion and courage make her an exemplary nominee for this award. She is not only a champion of justice but a beacon of hope and strength for younger generations. Yoorrook also extends congratulations to all other nominees, acknowledging their remarkable contributions and the inspiration they provide to all Australians.”

Yoorrook Justice Commission Chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM said:

“It is humbling and also a great honour to be nominated for this award alongside Rosalie Kickett and Ellen Trevorrow, both of whom have made incredible lifelong contributions to Aboriginal rights, culture and community.”

The NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year Award is presented annually to an Elder who has made a significant contribution to their community and to the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The award will be announced during NAIDOC Week 2025, which runs from 6–13 July, under the theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”.

All award winners will be announced at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony, held in Boorloo (Perth), on Saturday 5th July, 2025.

Aunty Eleanor Bourke has contributed to the Victorian Aboriginal Treaty Working Group as a member and Co-Chair, and provided strategic guidance and advice to the Treaty Commissioner supporting the establishment of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. She has been instrumental in Aboriginal research, human rights and Aboriginal development throughout her extensive career.

Aunty Ellen Trevorrow is a revered Senior Ngarrindjeri Elder. As a cultural weaver with over four decades of experience, she carries on the legacy of generations. Aunty Ellen’s powerful work, often recognised internationally, is displayed in prestigious institutions. Beyond her artistry, she is a dedicated educator and published author, actively building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Aunty Rosalie Kickett is a proud Wilman, Beelya, Ballardong, Menang, Bibbulmen Nyoongar Nation Yok Elder who has dedicated her life to empowering Aboriginal people, including incarcerated Aboriginal men. Aunty Rosalie travels across Australia, delivering critical training on Aboriginal mental health and suicide prevention. For over 40 years, Aunty Rosalie has been a beacon of hope, fostering resilience and connection among our most vulnerable.