National NAIDOC Award Winners

Rodney Dillon - Person of the Year (Male)

The winner of the NAIDOC male Person of the Year is Rodney Dillon from Tasmania.

A former ATSIC Commissioner, his most prominent role in recent times has been in the repatriation of Indigenous remains from overseas. Mr Dillon is a Tasmanian Aborigine (Palawa).

Rodney Dillon was involved in consultations with the British Government and was instrumental in changes to the British policies involved in repatriation. He successfully negotiated with the British Natural History Museum, the Royal College of Surgeons, Horniman Museum and Cambridge University. Those negotiations have led to the return of many remains back to their country.

As ATSIC Commissioner, his other achievements including pushing for the continuing presence of the Tent Embassy and undertaking various reviews of fishing rights around the country.

He is currently involved in a court case to achieve fishing rights for all Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Despite being fined thousands of dollar for poaching – he continues his fight for cultural fishing rights.

He also has a strong commitment to the Aboriginal community, helping those in need or down on their luck. Rodney Dillon regularly visits Aboriginal inmates, especially those who do not have regular visitors and those who are ill in hospital.

Among his favourite achievements is the purchase of a sheep station on Bruny Island for the Aboriginal people of Tasmania.