The national day honours have recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for their immeasurable contributions to health, social policy, sport, community advocacy and language preservation.
Notably, Cathy Freeman is one of only ten Australians this year honored with the highest award - a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
The award recognises not only her historic 2000s Olympic gold, but also her continuing contribution to public life through the Cathy Freeman Foundation, campaigning for better education outcomes for First Nations communities.
"[The] general theme of my life has always just come out of being authentic," the Kuku Yalanji Birri Gubbi woman told NITV.
"I think if that moves people in any particular way or encourages thoughtfulness in others, then that makes me feel good.”
In other areas, Robert Blair is being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Indigenous community of Queensland and the Dreamtime Cultural Centre.
Joining him is force for social change, Tanya Hosch, recognised for her service and advocacy for diversity and inclusion as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
As one of the AFL's longest serving executives, she transformed the code's diversity and inclusion policies.
She continues to champion reconciliation and constitutional recognition.
"All of these conversations are important ones and I think that we will always see change even though it takes much longer than we would like," Hosch told NITV.
Noongar Elder Roma Yibiyung Winmar has dedicated her life to the arts and education, but being honoured with the Order of Australia (AM) has seemingly caught her off guard.
"What’s wrong with them? I’m just being me!” she told NITV.
Her dedication to Noongar language, cultural and social wellbeing in her community was inspired by her mother Lily, and the desire to “carry on what she stood for."
Elder, health professional and academic Helen Belle Bnads has been awarded the awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the Indigenous community of Melbourne.
Northern Territory sporting Legend Frank "Doodles" Ahmat has been honoured for an OAM for a lifetime of commitment to the AFL and rugby league. As a player, president, coach or committee member his leadership has contributed greatly to Territory sport and his community.
Trailblazer Canberra Elder Dr Matilda Ann House-Williams has been awarded OAM for her service to the Indigenous communities across Canberra.
She was the first person to ever open parliament with a Welcome to Country in 2008, was one of the original protestors at the establishment of the Aboriginal tent Embassy in 1972 and helped form the region's first Aboriginal health and legal services.
House-Williams says that her fight for First Nations people is motivated by those closest to her.
“All you want to do is to help your family and that's what I had done, and that's what my brother had done and my sisters have done all their lives," she said.
"We've looked after each other and after our little community that we were here for."
A set of three Antarrengeny brothers have all been awarded awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for their outstanding service to the Indigenous community across the Northern Territory.
Frankie Holmes, Casey Holmes and Donald Thompson are highly respected Alyawarr leaders – with all three being elected repeatedly to represent their communities on the Central Lands Council.
They have contributed their extensive cultural knowledge to the Council’s work in multiple Native Title land claims, Alyawarr language dictionaries and social programs.
Other OAM recipients Frank Shadforth, the late Dr Kevin Guyurruyurru Rogers, Phil Cooper and Walter McGuire.
Tireless advocates from across Australia recognised for their service and commitment to improving the lives First Nations people and our country at large.
