Rosemary was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2023. As a director on the Pathfinders Board for ten years Rosemary has been able to influence decisions that improve the lives of Aboriginal people in the areas we work including Education, employment, refuge and cultural connection are all important.
Rosemary is an Aboriginal Elder currently living in Glen Innes where she volunteers and advocates for a number of Pathfinders’ programs including the Pathfinders National Aboriginal Birth Certificate Program and the Pathfinders Royal.
Raised in Tingha and Mungindi NSW, Rosemary has experienced a unique, colourful and gifted life to date. During the early stages of her long and accomplished career Rosemary helped to form the Tingha Aboriginal Corporation, providing local Indigenous families with housing.
As well as this Rosemary volunteered with the Health Commission to eradicate tuberculosis amongst Indigenous people living in Tingha and surrounding regions. Rosemary has served with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and on the Aboriginal Development Commission (previously known as ATSIC) as well as serving on numerous other boards and committees. She has accumulated numerous accolades and awards for her work in the community.