Canberra Citizen of the Year
2023
Katrina Fanning
SOURCE: ACT Government
Ms Katrina Fanning AO PSM is a Wiradjuri woman and is recognised for her dedication to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Ms Fanning is Director of Coolamon Advisors, an Indigenous majority owned and managed consultancy company, dedicated to providing meaningful contributions to Indigenous development, participation, and outcome equity.
Ms Fanning was the Chairperson of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (2017-2021) and was the Head of Secretariat, Coalition of Peaks on Closing the Gap from 2021-22.
Ms Fanning is also recognised for her contribution to rugby league. Following success as a player, she was appointed Chairperson with the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (since 2012), was a past President of Australia Women’s Rugby League, is a Director of the Canberra Raiders (since 2018), and President of the Canberra Women’s Rugby League.
Ms Fanning was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours, received the ACT Australian of the Year Award in 2020, a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in Indigenous Affairs in 2015, ACT Woman of the Year in 2014, and was ACT NAIDOC Person of the Year in 2014.