Women's History Month Heritage Walk Civic Square, March 2022

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this Heritage Walk contains images and names of deceased people.

Olive Brown (1945-1993)

Health Worker and Aboriginal Leader

A founder of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, Olive Brown was central in the establishment of Aboriginal health services in the Canberra region.

Recognising a need in the community for a health service not long after her arrival in Canberra in 1987, Olive was instrumental in the formation of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service – firstly as a temporary medical service at the Tent Embassy, staffed by Olive and other supporters and volunteers.

Winnunga Nimmityjah has since grown into a major health service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the ACT and surrounding region. It delivers a wide range of holistic health care services employing more than 80 staff and assisting more than 5,000 clients.

As a young woman, Olive trained as Teacher’s Aid and worked for the Rural Bank as well as modelling for the Australian Wool Board, David Jones and Vogue.

Later she helped set up the Aboriginal Children’s Service and established the Murralingabung Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Drug and Alcohol Organisation.

A mother of six children, Olive was also an active member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, serving as an executive and council member. Olive Brown is remembered for her commitment to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and beyond.

Select Bibliography

Photograph courtesy of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service.

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services

The Australian Women’s Register

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_{Header photograph: March by Women's Employment Rights Campaign from the ACT Health Authority to the CES building, 2 December 1977.  ACT Heritage Library, Canberra Times Collection, 006515}