Witnessing real change and ensuring it benefits future generations is the driving force behind Professor Rhonda Marriott's work. As Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change at Murdoch University, she brings over five decades of expertise in nursing, midwifery, and academia.
“My mantra is ‘nothing about us without us’, and this is at the heart of everything we do at Ngangk Yira. Our work is not about doing things to communities, it’s about working with communities, guided by cultural knowledge and local leadership,” Professor Marriott told The West Australian. “When this approach is taken seriously, the outcomes are stronger, more sustainable, and more meaningful for everyone.”
A descendant of the Kimberley’s Nyikina people, Professor Marriott is driven by a passion to give Aboriginal mothers, babies, and families the strongest start in life through “clinically excellent and culturally safe” care that prioritises community needs. “Real change takes time, but when you see families thriving and communities leading solutions, it reminds you why the work matters,” she said.
Her decades of dedication to Aboriginal-led research and solutions in Western Australia have earned her recognition as a Wesfarmers Aboriginal Award finalist in the West Australian of the Year awards.
While acknowledging WA’s strengths, Professor Marriott noted there is still progress to be made in addressing inequalities. “This work is important because it is about creating better, more equitable systems that support strong Aboriginal family futures,” she said. “When we invest in the earliest stages of life, we’re not only improving outcomes for Aboriginal families, we’re strengthening the future of our whole community in WA.”
Translating research into real-world outcomes, including ensuring policies benefit the people they are intended for, is a key focus of the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change. Professor Marriott emphasised that the recognition reflects more than her individual impact. “It represents recognition not just of my own journey, but of the collective efforts of Aboriginal communities, Elders, families and colleagues who have guided and supported this work over many years.”
She recalled an Elder’s advice early in her career: “This work isn’t just about today, it’s about the next generations. That has stayed with me. Being named a finalist feels less like a personal achievement and more like a moment to honour those relationships and the collective work we are doing across WA.”
Professor Rhonda Marriott is a finalist in the Wesfarmers Aboriginal Award category of the 2026 Western Australian of the Year awards. Winners will be announced on Thursday, May 28.
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