Don Dunstan Foundation

04/06/2026

Last night’s Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration was a powerful reminder that social cohesion cannot be built through fear, humiliation, or endless cycles of division. First Nations leadership shows us that true strength coexists with compassion, and that truth is the very foundation of unity. It was a beautiful, moving evening that reminded us that our shared future depends on the slow, collective work of keeping people connected to one another and to community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this incredible night possible:
✨ To Professor Larissa Behrendt AO for delivering such an incredibly moving and insightful Oration.
✨ To our wonderful MC, Professor Tina Brodie.
✨ To Ashum Owens for grounding us with a powerful Welcome to Country.
✨ To for leading us in the Freedom Song.
✨ To the Adelaide University for generously hosting us in such a special space.

This event would not be possible without the enduring support of our partners and sponsors who walk this journey with us.

Thank you to our partners:



Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation


And to our sponsors:


Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation

Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended, listened, and shared in the evening. Together, we continue the vital work of building a connected, compassionate future.

📷

04/06/2026

Last night’s Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration was a powerful reminder that social cohesion cannot be built through fear, humiliation, or endless cycles of division. First Nations leadership shows us that true strength coexists with compassion, and that truth is the very foundation of unity. It was a beautiful, moving evening that reminded us that our shared future depends on the slow, collective work of keeping people connected to one another and to community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this incredible night possible:
✨ To Professor Larissa Behrendt AO for delivering such an incredibly moving and insightful Oration.
✨ To our wonderful MC, Professor Tina Brodie.
✨ To Ashum Owens Ngangki Warra for grounding us with a powerful Welcome to Country.
✨ To Rob Edwards for leading us in the Freedom Song.
✨ To the Adelaide University for generously hosting us in such a special space.

This event would not be possible without the enduring support of our partners and sponsors who walk this journey with us.

Thank you to our partners:

Adelaide University
Flinders University
The Lowitja Institute
Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation
Reconciliation South Australia

And to our sponsors:
SA Power Networks
BHP
SA Government Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation

Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended, listened, and shared in the evening. Together, we continue the vital work of building a connected, compassionate future.

📷 Frankie The Creative

04/06/2026

Professor Larissa Behrendt delivered a powerful Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration, pointing to the leadership approach of Aboriginal women as the antidote to divisive, conflict-driven politics.

"What First Nations women's leadership offers, particularly in this moment, is not simply representation: it offers a different philosophy of leadership itself.

"For too long, leadership within western political culture has been framed through dominance, the accumulation of power, defeat of opponents, the performance of certainty, the drawing of hard lines between winners and losers, and, increasingly, public life rewards conflict. Adversarialism becomes confused with strength.

"But First Nations women have long practised another model. A leadership grounded not in transaction but in relationship.

"A leadership that understands authority as responsibility to community rather than power over others. A leadership that speaks to repair rather than domination. Coalition rather than factionalism. Continuity rather than spectacle."

📷 Frankie The Creative

01/06/2026

Don was unique, authentic and unapologetic.

June 1 marks the first day of Pride Month, and we, the Don Dunstan Foundation, celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and reflect on the historical significance of this month.

Not only do we advocate for social justice and equality in Don’s name, we also celebrate and acknowledge the man that Don was - a member of the LGBTQIA+ Community.

Don was a trailblazing pioneer of social diversity and civil rights. He implemented many first-of-their-kind policies that protected and celebrated diverse communities. Don was also a driving force in decriminalising homosexuality in South Australia in 1975, making it the first state in Australia to do so.

25/05/2026

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! ⏳

We are officially in the home stretch for the 19th Annual Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration, and seats are filling up fast!

If you haven’t secured your spot at Elder Hall yet, now is the time. Join us and Professor Larissa Behrendt AO for an incredible evening of reflection, truth-telling, and powerful First Nations leadership.

We are so close to a packed house and we want you in the room with us.

📍 Where: Elder Hall, Adelaide University (Kaurna Country)
🗓️ When: 6:30 pm, Wednesday 3 June

Grab your tickets before they are gone! ✨
events.humanitix.com/2026-lowitja-o-donoghue-oration

19/05/2026

DON’T MISS OUT: TICKETS SELLING FAST! ⏳

The 19th Annual Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration is less than a month away, and seats are filling up quickly.

Join Professor Larissa Behrendt AO at Elder Hall for a powerful exploration of First Nations leadership. This is more than a lecture- it is a roadmap for moving beyond division toward a mature national identity.

With June 3rd fast approaching, now is the time to secure your place at this highlight of South Australia’s Reconciliation Week calendar.

📍 Where: Elder Hall, Adelaide University, Kaurna Country
🗓️ When: 6:30pm, Wednesday 3 June

Secure your tickets now before they're gone!
events.humanitix.com/2026-lowitja-o-donoghue-oration

11/05/2026

DON’T MISS OUT: TICKETS SELLING FAST! ⏳

The 19th Annual Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration is less than a month away, and seats are filling up quickly.

Join Professor Larissa Behrendt AO at Elder Hall for a powerful exploration of First Nations leadership. This is more than a lecture-it is a roadmap for moving beyond division toward a mature national identity.

With June 3rd fast approaching, now is the time to secure your place at this highlight of South Australia’s Reconciliation Week calendar.

📍 Where: Elder Hall, Adelaide University, Kaurna Country
🗓️ When: 6:30pm, Wednesday 3 June

Secure your tickets now before they're gone!
events.humanitix.com/2026-lowitja-o-donoghue-oration

19th Annual Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration Professor Larissa Behrendt AO: Strength with Grace

02/05/2026

The Reintegration Puzzle Conference is coming to Tarndanya | Adelaide this June. Hosted by the Justice Reform Initiative, this is a vital gathering for anyone working to tackle the systemic challenges of imprisonment and community re-entry.

Don't miss your chance to secure the best rates for this two-day event focused on building better responses to justice system failures.

When: Wednesday, 24 June – Thursday, 25 June 2026
Where: Hilton Adelaide, Kaurna Country

Register: justicereforminitiative.org.au/reintegration_puzzle_conference

01/05/2026

Join our community of changemakers! 📢

At the Don Dunstan Foundation, our volunteers are the heartbeat of our work. From supporting major events like the Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration to helping us drive social justice initiatives across South Australia, there’s a place for everyone in our movement.

Whether you're looking to build professional networks, support progressive policy, or simply give back to your community, we’d love to have you on board.

Why volunteer with us?
🤝 Connect with like-minded people.
🎓 Gain experience in the events and non-profit sector.
💡 Be part of the legacy shaping SA’s future.

Ready to make a difference? Click the link below to join our ad hoc volunteer pool and stay in the loop for upcoming opportunities!

Sign up here: dunstan.org.au/get-involved/volunteer

01/05/2026

Celebrate South Australia's vibrant art scene! 🎨✨
The Don Dunstan Foundation is proud to support both the SALA Award and the OUR MOB Emerging Artist Award. Don Dunstan’s vision for South Australia was one where creativity and culture thrived, and these awards continue that legacy by championing artists who speak to social justice, identity, and community.

Whether you are an emerging First Nations storyteller or a SALA artist exploring social change, we want to see your work.

Don’t wait- applications for both close in under two weeks!

OUR MOB Emerging Artist Award: $5,000 + professional development.
SALA Award: $2,000 cash to support your practice.
Closing Date: Friday, 15 May 2026 (OUR MOB) and Wednesday, 13 May 2026 (SALA).

Apply now and be part of SA’s extraordinary artistic future. ✊
Find out more via link in bio