LOWITJA | A Life of Leadership & Legacy | Group Guided Tour

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, in partnership with the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation and Lowitja Institute are proud to present ‘LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy’ - the inaugural exhibition portraying the life and influence of the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG. The exhibition will be held at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery managed by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, University of South Australia on Kaurna Country, South Australia, from 4 June to 25 July 2025.

Group Guided Tours

As a special offering, Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation is presenting a limited number of ticketed Group Guided Tours, hosted by Ms Deb Edwards, Head of the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation and Dr O’Donoghue’s niece. Deb will guide your group through the exhibition and share personal stories of her Aunt which will provide rare insight and a family connection into the life of an extraordinary Aboriginal leader.

Sensitivity Disclaimer

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the 'LOWITJA - A Life of Leadership and Legacy' exhibition contains images, voices and names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material, which may cause distress and sadness. 

Guided Tour Session Dates & Times

Bookings are available for the following dates and times:

- Tuesday 10 June – 10.30am and 12.30pm
- Thursday 12 June – 10.30am and 12.30pm
- Wednesday 18 June – 12.30pm and 2.00pm
- Thursday 19 June – 12.30pm and 2.00pm
- Tuesday 24 June – 10.30am and 12.30pm
- Thursday 26 June – 10.30am and 12.30pm 

NAIDOC Week 2025

- Tuesday 8 July
- Wednesday 9 July
- Thursday 10 July
All NAIDOC Week sessions will be held at 2.00pm 

Sessions will run for 60 minutes including time for questions.

*Each session is facilitated exclusively by Deb Edwards. In the event of unforeseen circumstances affecting her availability, we may contact you to reschedule. Additional sessions may be offered at the discretion of the event organiser, depending on demand.

Ticket Information

Guided Tours are available for groups of 10 to 20 participants. Each session is exclusive to one group or organisation, with three ticket types available;

- Up to 10 participants - $1550.00 incl. GST
- Up to 15 participants - $2325.00 incl. GST
- Up to 20 participants - $3100.00 incl. GST
Prices exclude Humanitix booking fee.

When booking please note:
- Only one group can book per session. 
- Only one ticket type can be booked per session. Ticket types cannot be combined.
- Your booking will be issued with one (1) group ticket specific to your selected session and ticket category. Individual tickets will not be issued and are not required.
- If you choose to upgrade a purchased session to a higher capacity, please note that the original booking fee is non-refundable.

When selecting your ticket category, you're welcome to add a donation to your ticket purchase. All donations to the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation are tax deductible. The Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation is not yet established as a legally autonomous entity and receives donations under an auspice agreement with Lowitja Institute. Lowitja Institute is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) as a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI).

All revenue generated from ticket sales will be directed towards supporting the ongoing work of the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation. Purchase tickets via the 'Get Tickets' button >>>

*School Booking Queries* Please direct any school booking queries to foundation@lowitja.org.au. Do not use this booking platform. Please also note that guided tours are not offered for School Bookings due to operational capacity. We appreciate your understanding.

More about the Exhibition

Dr O’Donoghue, a Yankunytjatjara woman and one of Australia’s most respected and prominent Aboriginal leaders, passed away peacefully on 4 February 2024 at the age of 91 on Kaurna Country in her home state of South Australia.

Described by her associates and colleagues as, ‘the greatest Aboriginal leader of the modern era’, ‘a powerful and unrelenting advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’, and ‘an outstanding leader and visionary,’ Dr O’Donoghue left behind a nation that are still mourning the loss of a ‘leader’s leader’ and ‘a national living treasure.’ The outpouring of love, admiration and respect came from people of diverse backgrounds from Australia and beyond, due to Dr O’Donoghue’s transformational work for the rights, education, health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples of the world over.

Dr O’Donoghue’s remarkable life and lasting impact will be remembered and honoured in the exhibition portraying her most iconic, triumphant and heartbreaking moments from childhood, a career in health, Indigenous activism, high-profile leadership, and stellar career in Aboriginal Affairs.

Throughout decades working in health and Aboriginal Affairs, Dr O’Donoghue collected and retained landmark reports, photographs, video and audio footage, unique memorabilia, papers and awards, which now form part of her large personal collection of historical archives. Her vision was to ensure that her collection is drawn upon to educate present and future generations with bold truth-telling through the life story of a strong-minded young Aboriginal girl whose experiences shaped her into a leader who walked tall, unwaveringly and compassionately.

The exhibition content will feature vision of a selection of Dr O’Donoghue’s landmark speeches and media interviews, historic items of personal awards and iconic clothing, items of cultural and political significance, newspaper clippings and quotes, and never seen before photographs, letters and reports.

Presentation dates of the exhibition coincide with the end of 2025 National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) and 2025 National NAIDOC Week (6 – 13 July). We invite delegates attending the Lowitja Institute 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre (16 – 19 June) to take a short walk up North Terrace to visit the exhibition around conference program times.

The exhibition is open to the general public Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. Entry to the general exhibition is free.

Access Information

We are committed to creating inclusive experiences and will accommodate any access requirements (where possible) to support your participation in a group guided tour. Please note, however, that the coordination and costs associated with access arrangements are the responsibility of the ticket purchaser. Please indicate any access requirements at the time of checkout to ensure the organisers are informed and can plan accordingly.

Venue Information

The Kerry Packer Civic Gallery is located at The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, Hawke Building Level 3, UniSA City West Campus – 55 North Terrace, Kaurna Country, Adelaide SA (corner of North Terrace and Fenn Place)

Level 3 is accessible by lifts and stairs.

Car Parking is available at the Adelaide Convention Centre’s North Terrace carpark (enter from North Terrace) and Wilson Parking City West carpark (enter from Clarendon Street). Some on-street parking may be available on Hindley Street West.

The exhibition is proudly presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, in partnership with the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation and Lowitja Institute. With thanks for the support of principal sponsor, the Government of South Australia, and supporting partner Adelaide Airport.