Adelaide’s Reconciliation Action Plan Committee Chair Dr Roger Thomas has claimed the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 2021 NAIDOC South Australian Awards.
Dr Thomas, who was named as the Club’s RAP Chair in 2019, won the prestigious award for his work advocating on behalf of all Aboriginal people and communities.
He is a proud Kokatha man, a respected South Australian Aboriginal Elder and is also the South Australian Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement.
As part of his work, Dr Thomas investigates and advises on barriers to Aboriginal people’s access and full participation in government, non-government and private services.
Dr Thomas delivered an historic address to the House of Assembly in December 2020 in establishing a Voice to Parliament.
He was the first Aboriginal person to reach the level of Professor at the University of Adelaide and the first to receive an honorary doctorate.
He has held posts on state, national and international committees.
As well as being the Chair of Adelaide’s Reconciliation Action Plan Committee, Dr Thomas is also part of TAFE SA’s Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
