Naomi MayersOAM (born 1941) is a leader inAustralian health. She is also known for having been lead vocalist of the music groupThe Sapphires, on which a popular 2012film of the same name was based.
Early life
editMayers was born in 1941,[1] ofYorta Yorta andWiradjuri heritage.[2]
She was one of three members of The Sapphires, along with Beverly Briggs (her sister) and Laurel Robinson, in the 1960s. She and Briggs chose not to travel with the group toVietnam, owing to theiropposition to the Vietnam War.[3]
Career in health
editShe became involved in the foundation of theAboriginal Medical Service in 1971, encouraged byFred Hollows.[3] She was officially appointed as coordinator in 1972,[4] with fellow Sapphires Robinson and Briggs joining the service later. She had had some nursing experience, and started as an administrator. Mayers helped to lead the institution over the following 40 years, with the help of people like Dulcie Flowers and "Mum Shirl" (Shirley Smith),[2] in 2012 she wasCEO of the organisation.[3]
She is regarded as a leader inAboriginal health services.[3][4][1][5]
In 1976 Mayers,Bobbi Sykes,Sue Chilly (also spelt Chilli), andMarcia Langton formed theBlack Women's Action (BWA) group, which later evolved into theRoberta Sykes Foundation. BWA published a monthly community newspaper for Aboriginal people,Koori Bina (meaning "Black ears"[6]),[7] which ran until June 1979.[8]
In 1989, Mayers was the lead author of a government strategy document, "A national Aboriginal health strategy".[9]
Recognition and honours
editIn 1984 Mayers was awarded theMedal of the Order of Australia for "service to Aboriginal welfare".[10]
In 2006, she was the subject of a television documentary made byFilm Australia forSBS Television, entitledJetja Nai medical mob : Naomi Mayers.[11]
Mayers was given a Lifetime Achievement award in the 2023NAIDOC Week Awards. This is awarded "to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who has dedicated their life to their community".[12]
References
edit- ^ab"Mayers, Naomi Ruth (1941–)". National Library of Australia.
- ^abLiddle, Ryan (25 October 2021)."From struggle to triumph: iconic Redfern AMS marks 50 years".NITV. Retrieved27 September 2022.
- ^abcdNunn, Gary (5 September 2012)."The Sapphires: where are they now?".Australian Geographic. Retrieved27 September 2022.
- ^ab"Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service".Redfern Oral History.
- ^"Mayers, Naomi Ruth (1941– )". Australian Women's Archives Project. 9 June 2009.
- ^"Professor Marcia Langton AM".Victorian Government. Retrieved26 September 2022.
- ^"History".Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation. Retrieved26 September 2022.
- ^Black Women's Action Group (1977–1979),Koori bina : a black Australian news monthly [catalogue entry], Black Women's Action Group, retrieved26 September 2022 – viaTrove
- ^Australia. National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party; Mayers, Naomi (1989),A national Aboriginal health strategy, [National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party],ISBN 978-0-642-14876-6
- ^"Naomi Ruth MAYERS".Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved8 November 2020.
- ^McKenzie, Katriona; Freedman, Rod; Macumba Media Enterprises;Film Australia; SBS-TV (2006),Jetja Nai medical mob : Naomi Mayers [catalogue entry], National Library of Australia, retrieved1 October 2022,
Summary: "The early years of Naomi Mayers fighting racism and harsh discipline at school have been balanced by the loving support of her family. She is now deeply respected and appreciated for her landmark work as director of the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service"--SBS website.
- ^Courty, Audrey (1 July 2023)."Live: National NAIDOC Week Awards to announce 10 winners - ABC News".ABC News. Retrieved1 July 2023.
External links
edit- Joseph and Naomi Mayers Photo taken at theAboriginal Medical Service 30th anniversary dinner