This Friday 4 April, I will finish my term as South Australia’s inaugural Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
After 34 years in the public service, including 6 years in this role, I have relished the independence to lead boldly, speak truthfully and advocate powerfully. Being a changemaker isn’t what I do, it’s who I am.
My work isn’t done as there is still so much to do in creating the paths for the next generation of inspiring leaders in our community, but for now I look forward to spending time with my family on Country before I take up my next challenge.
It has been a deep privilege to advocate for the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people across the State, including at the United Nations, ensuring their voices and experiences are heard in decisions that affect them.
For me, this work has always been about truth-telling, visibility and being staunchly unapologetic about holding space on Aboriginal children and young people’s rights to grow up safely with family and cultural identity. It has meant making good trouble on important value propositions and speaking up when it mattered most, always with a fierce dedication to what is in our Aboriginal children’s best interests.
I’m proud that this role has set the benchmark for Aboriginal Children’s Commissioners nationally and of the work I have done on the Inquiry to shine a light on the solutions and the road map forward to address the continued overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in South Australia’s child protection and youth justice system.
I am hopeful for the future because our children are hopeful. From the APY Lands to suburban Adelaide, our kids see themselves as proud, strong and deeply connected to culture, family and community. They know who they are, and they believe things can and will get better. They are asking us to show up, to stand beside them, and to help uphold their rights in every way possible.
This is a call to all of us, and to the system, to listen deeply, respond meaningfully, and be held accountable. The responsibility is clear – to honour the voices of our children, their families and their communities, and to walk with them towards a stronger, just future.
Thank you to the people that have worked with me and supported me in this role. They have uplifted me to lead with ambition for our children and young people, and to do it with generosity, respect and compassion. And most of all to succeed with soul.
Thank you to the Aboriginal children and young people, families (including mine), Elders and communities whose strength is undeniable, and whose wisdom and hope continue to light the way.
Yours in unity
APRIL LAWRIE
Commissioner of Aboriginal Children and Young People