NOVA’S STORY

Nova Peris – Aboriginal

Nova Peris is a descendant of the Gija people of East Kimberley, the Yawuru people of the West Kimberley & the Bunitj Clan of the Gagudju people of West Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

Born on February 25, 1971, in Darwin, Northern Territory, she is also a dedicated advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation, and has been recognised with several awards for her contributions to sport and society.

Young Australian of the Year

Over the past three decades, Nova Peris has consistently demonstrated excellence, whether in sport, politics, or community work. She has been a leader in advocating for Indigenous Australians, striving to improve opportunities for her people while advancing her own achievements. Peris was awarded the Order of Australia in 1996 and named Young Australian of the Year in 1997, reflecting her remarkable contributions to sport and society.

Demonstrated Leadership

On 7 September 2013, Nova Peris became the first Aboriginal woman elected to Federal Parliament, delivering a powerful maiden speech on 12 November that highlighted the struggles of Aboriginal people and her own life journey. During her three years in Parliament, she tirelessly championed Indigenous rights, addressing issues like racial discrimination, inequality, and land rights with honesty and determination. Peris inspired pride in Aboriginal identity while working to change attitudes across Australia, leaving a lasting legacy as a strong and compassionate leader.

A timeline of Nova’s extraordinary life…

1971

Born Darwin, NT

1988

Diploma in Aboriginal Health Promotion Aged care and Patient Transport officer

1990

Became a Mother when daughter Jessica was born

1991

AFLNT Community Development Officer

1992

Selected in the Australian U/21’s Hockey Team

1993

Selected in the Australian Senior Team (Hockeyroos)

1996

Won Gold Medal with the Hockeyroos at Atlanta Olympic Games

1997

Retired from the Hockeyroos after playing 97 caps for Australia and switched sports to Track & Field

Young Australian of the Year

1998

Won two Gold Medals in the 200m and 4x100m relay in Kuala Lumpur at the Commonwealth Games Medal of the Order of Australia recipient (OAM) International Aboriginal Human Rights Ambassador Involved in the repatriation of Aboriginal remains from the Manchester Museum, UK

2000

First Olympic Torch bearer in Australian Olympic Torch Relay

Reached Semi-Final of 400m at Sydney Olympic Games

Fourth in 4x400m relay Final at Sydney Olympics

Inaugural board member and National Patron for Beyond Blue

2002

Daughter Destiny is born

National Treaty Facilitator for the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) Actively

lnvolved With the NSW ‘Good 4 Kids-Good 4 Life’ Hunter Valley healthy eating campaign

Involved In the implementation of the Strong Community Life alcohol responsibility strategy in QLD

lnternational Human Rights Ambassador for the World Health organisation and Griffith university Youth Suicide Prevention program

2003

Son Jack was born

Published autobiography, Nova-My Story

2005

Involved in Economic Development with the Department of Families and Housing

Community Service and Aboriginal Affairs (FaHCSIA)

2006

Development of communications strategy and implementation strategy for the Child Health Check

Coordinating 104 national Aboriginal community events for the Department or Health & Aging (DoHA)

2009

Media marketing and events coordinator with ‘Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies’ (AIATSIS)

2010

Established three separate ‘Girls Academies on behalf of the Northern Territory Government at Nightcliff, Sanderson and Dripstone schools

Co-ordinated the ‘Learn – Earn – Legend Careers Expo

Consulted with the Kimberley Land Council

International Ambassador for Hepatitis Australia

2011

Co-Ordinated The Long Walk and Dreamtime at the G’ entertainment AFL

2012

Established the Nova Peris Girls’ Academy (NPGA)

Serving the NPGA as Director and Operations Manager of this female intense mentoring program

2013

First Aboriginal Woman elected to Federal Parliament

2017

The Principle Advisor for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Involved in Sport and Recreation Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing and Community Participation

Patron for the Australian Aboriginal Doctors’ Association (AIDA)

Chairperson for The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island National Sporting Hall of Fame, tasked With establishing a permanent home for the Hall of Fame

Board Member AFL Sports Ready Program

2018

Project Manager for VicSport, Developed and established VicSport’s reconciliation action plan (RAP) through a working group

Spearheaded the ‘I’ll Stand With You’ campaign on racism in sport (Including producing a five-minute documentary about safe, fair and inclusive participation in Sport for all)

Developed and produced two audio-visual resources one with Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) on discrimination in sport and inclusion in sport

Established the Inaugural Inclusion Award (the Peter Norman Inclusion Award) for VicSport’s awards night

Announced the NT Winner of the Australian Awards for excellence in women’s leadership

Published her second autobiography, Nova Finding My Voice

Son Jack named NAIDOC Sportsman of the Year

2019

Principal Advisor Aboriginal and Community Engagement with Melbourne Water

Appeared on reality television show Australian Survivor which was filmed over in Fiji

2020

Founded and Established the Nova Peris Foundation

2021

Was honoured with a 2.6m Bronze Statue Unveiled In Fed Square, Melbourne

Son Jack was drafted to AFL club St Kilda

2022

Asked by the Australian Federal Government and Royal Australian Navy to act as official sponsor and commissioning lady of the Australian Navy’s newly launched ship, NUSHIP Arafura;

2023

Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame

2024

Appeared on reality television show Dancing With The Stars

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