Aunty Josie Agius

Josie Agius (1934-2015) was a Narungga, Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Ngadjuri leader. A pillar of strength in the Aboriginal community, she was committed to sharing cultural knowledge with non-Aboriginal people.

In the 1970s, Agius became one of South Australia’s first Aboriginal health workers, and was part of a team that developed a cultural framework for how hospitals and community health services deliver services to Aboriginal peoples in the State.

She was inducted into the SA Women’s Honour Roll in 2009 and was patron of the 2014 and 2015 NAIDOC SA Awards. Agius was awarded the Premier’s NAIDOC Award in 2014 for improving the lives and welfare of Aboriginal peoples in South Australia.

In 2017 the City of Adelaide named Josie Agius Park/Wikaparntu Wirra (Park 22) to honour Josie Agius, a strong supporter of girl’s netball. Wikaparntu Wirra is a newly-constructed Kaurna word that translates to netball park.

Celebrating 125 years of women's suffrage in South Australia.

Image: Collection of Josie Agius's family