The University of Notre Dame Australia has awarded an honorary doctorate to Noongar elder Robert Isaacs, recognising more than five decades of service to Aboriginal Australians across health, housing, justice, education and reconciliation. Source: The Record.
The Honorary Doctor of Letters was conferred at the university’s Fremantle graduation ceremony in recognition of Dr Isaacs’ contribution to Australian society and his longstanding support of the university’s mission and values.
A highly respected Elder of the Whadjuk-Bibilmum Wardandi Noongar language group, Dr Isaacs has dedicated his life to improving opportunities, wellbeing and self-determination for Aboriginal people, while fostering stronger understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.
In 1975, Dr Isaacs established the Aboriginal Medical Service Dental Clinic in response to a critical lack of culturally appropriate healthcare for Aboriginal people.
The initiative helped pave the way for a network of Aboriginal-controlled health services that transformed access to care and informed future models of culturally safe healthcare delivery.
Through his leadership of major housing initiatives, more than 8000 Aboriginal people have been supported to access stable and affordable housing.
As a Director of Noongar Mia Mia, he has also helped deliver culturally appropriate housing solutions throughout Western Australia.
An advocate for justice, reconciliation and education, Dr Isaacs has worked extensively to mediate land rights and community disputes, improve relationships between Aboriginal communities and the justice system, and establish greater educational opportunities for Aboriginal young people, including helping to found Clontarf Aboriginal College, Australia’s first Indigenous school.
Dr Isaacs has also been a longstanding supporter of Notre Dame’s commitment to Aboriginal engagement and reconciliation, delivering the Nulungu Reconciliation Lecture in 2021 and regularly engaging with students and staff across the university’s campuses.
Receiving the honorary doctorate, Dr Isaacs reflected on the power of education, particularly for Aboriginal people and communities.
“For Aboriginal people, education is not only about a certificate, a job, or a career,” Dr Isaacs said.
“It is also about dignity, independence and self-determination.
“When a young person gains an education, the benefit does not stop with that one person. It reaches parents and grandparents. It reaches brothers, sisters, cousins and children.
“Education becomes more than individual progress; it becomes community progress.”
FULL STORY
Honorary Doctor of Letters awarded to Dr Robert Isaacs AM for lifetime of service to Aboriginal communities (The Record)
