A huge congratulations to Jillian Hunter, who has received an award at the Kimberly Aboriginal Women's Council at the inaugural Kimberly Women’s Leadership Council awards ceremony at the 2025 Roundtable Gala Dinner held in Broome in October.
Jillian was awarded the June Oscar System Reform and Advocacy Award, which honours women whose courageous advocacy and leadership are driving systematic change and advancing the rights of First Nations peoples.
As a Senior Community Engagement Officer for Early Years at our Derby Office, Jillian has been known for her visionary leadership and advocacy that are instrumental to driving systematic reform and advancing the rights of First Nations peoples. With deep commitment to truth-telling and justice, Jillian consistently challenges structures that exclude Aboriginal voices and works tirelessly to ensure that the lived realities of her people shape the policies, services, and systems that affect their daily lives.
Throughout her career, Jillian has worked across multiple roles within Aboriginal Corporations across the Kimberley, World Vision Australia, and in WA Government with the clear goal of improving the lives of Aboriginal children and families through improved access to early learning, strengthened employment pathways, through exceptional engagement and leadership skills that fosters trust, collaboration and community-led solutions. The KAWC Women in Leadership Awards are a cornerstone of the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council mission to celebrate, honour, and elevate the achievements of Aboriginal women and allies across the Kimberley region.
Through her advocacy, Jillian has advanced reforms in areas such as family violence, justice, and community healing, ensuring that cultural security and self-determination are not just ideals, but embedded in policy and practice. She has mentored other Aboriginal women to stand in their power, building a legacy of strong leadership that will continue for generations to come.
Jillian’s fearless leadership, grounded in love with her people and respect for culture, is creating ripple effects of change across our communities. She embodies the spirit of this award by showing that reform is possible when we are guided by courage, integrity, and the unwavering belief in justice and equity for First Nations peoples.
(June Oscar AO is a prominent Indigenous Australian advocate from Fitzroy Crossing. She was awarded the Order of Australia in 2013 for her distinguished service to the Indigenous community.)
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