Dr Margaret Valadian was the first recognised Aboriginal Australian woman to graduate from an Australian university, receiving a Bachelor of Social Studies from The University of Queensland in 1966. Margaret went on to complete a Masters of Education, University of Hawaii, and a master of Social Welfare, State University of New York. Back in Australia she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from Macquarie University. Margaret was the chair for the Aboriginal Arts Committee, Director of the Aboriginal Education Centre, University of Woolongong and the founder and co-director of Aboriginal Training and Cultural Institute (Sydney).
In recognition for her for services to the Aboriginal Community Margaret Valadian was appointed a Civil Member of the Order of the British Empire on 12 June 1976 and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) on 26 January 1986. In July 2024, she was posthumously awarded an honorary doctorate by her alma mater, The University of Queensland.
(Sources include University of New England, The University of Queensland)
