June Oscar Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2016

June Oscar

June is the Chief Executive Officer of Marninwarntikura Fitzroy Women’s Resource Centre and a proud Bunuba woman from the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing. June is a champion for Indigenous Australian languages, social justice, women’s issues and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. In 2007, she fought successfully for alcohol restrictions in Fitzroy Crossing. Her focus on Aboriginal children and her determination that we do not sacrifice the health of children for the ‘right’ to buy full strength take-away alcohol, made her a role model for all Australia. In 2011, in an article appearing in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald June was named as one of the 50 most influential women in the world for her work in improving the lives of those living in remote Aboriginal communities. June is co-founder of the Yiramalay Wesley Studio School and in 2012 she was appointed as an Ambassador for Children and Young People by Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People, Michelle Scott. In 2013 she was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen’s Birthday honours. June was the winner of the Westpac and Financial Review 100 Women of Influence 2013 for Social Enterprise and Not for Profit Category. In 2014 June was awarded the Menzies School of Health Research Medallion for her work with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. In 2016 June was awarded the Desmond Tutu Fellowship from the Global Reconciliation Foundation.