On behalf of staff, students, families, communities, and the Council of Batchelor Institute, I wish to pay tribute to highly esteemed human rights activist, Dr Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, who sadly passed away on Wednesday 26 January 2022, at the age of 85.
Dr Kunoth-Monks was an Arrernte, Amatjere, Alyawarre woman who was born at Arapunya, known as Utopia Station. She was a highly respected fighter campaigner for the welfare, recognition and advancement of First Nations peoples, and had a long involvement with Batchelor Institute serving in a number of positions on the Institute’s Council, including as Chair, Deputy Chair and Vice Chair.
In 2019, Dr Kunoth-Monks was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Batchelor Institute to recognise and honour her decades of commitment and service to self-determination of First Nations peoples.
Dr Kunoth-Monks was an inspirational leader and she left a deep and lasting impact on students, staff, our families and communities, and impressed upon many the importance of knowing your worth and being proud of your achievements.
Dr Kunoth-Monks will be missed by many. Her legacy will live on to inspire future generations of First Nations peoples, and she will be forever remembered as an esteemed and greatly loved leader.
Our sincere condolences to the Kunoth-Monks family.
Pat Anderson
Chair of Batchelor Institute Counci