Landing in Darwin in late 1977 as a paediatric intern, Dr Paul Bauert planned to spend two years in the Top End. Nearly four decades later, he is Director of Paediatrics at the Royal Darwin Hospital, and is a nationally-respected champion of children’s health, particularly those from Indigenous, refugee and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Working across the most isolated part of our vast continent, Paul has enhanced child health services and trained the next generation of remote area paediatricians. Many of Paul’s patients present with diseases that have origins in poverty, and that are rare in the rest of Australia. Aside from managing a very busy department, Paul is increasingly called upon by the medical fraternity to provide guidance on issues concerning refugee and Aboriginal children.

With commitment above and beyond the regular duties of a specialist paediatrician, Paul exemplifies what one person can do to offer the best of care, to protect the vulnerable and to inspire others.

As a 22-year-old member of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Sister Anne Gardiner was asked to move to Bathurst Island to live among the Tiwi people. In the 62 years since, Sr Anne has devoted her life to enriching community, enhancing opportunity and supporting the Tiwi culture. An advocate of peace, love and the traditional Tiwi way of life, Sr Anne has worked tirelessly to document and preserve the Tiwi language for future generations. The Principal of the local primary school, Sr Anne has educated generations of children while also establishing community clubs, from mothers’ groups to Little Athletics. She runs regular prayer meetings, founded an op shop and established a café to raise funds to support her much-loved community. Sr Anne’s museum shares valuable stories and traditional customs, while also bringing financial benefit to the people. The cornerstone of the community, Sr Anne has earned an enduring place in the hearts of the Tiwi people.

Starting her career as a chef at the remote Barrow Creek Hotel nearly five decades ago, Karen Sheldon was mentored by a group of local Indigenous women who lit a spark within her that continues to burn brightly.

Today, Karen operates a Territory success story that is working to close the gap on Indigenous employment disadvantage within this generation. Karen’s diverse business interests – from catering to training services – employ around 100 people, half of whom are Indigenous. She provides skills, training and on-the-job mentoring, placing job seekers in industries from agriculture to automotive, and from health to human services. Karen believes that just like learning to ride a bike, basic employability skills such as reliability and self-esteem require practice. Thousands of employees of all cultures, ages and levels of skill and advantage have walked through the doors of Karen’s workplaces in most regions of the Northern Territory and have benefited from her inspiration, mentorship and motivation.

Growing up in the remote traditional Indigenous community of Belyuen, Joy White spent her childhood walking great distances through the bush and sleeping under the stars. Following traditional customs, her parents sent her to marry an older man when she was just 12 years old. She was hidden in a sack and taken to Darwin by ferry to be given as a ‘promised bride’. Raising six of her own children alone in difficult circumstances, Joy has also opened her heart and home to more than 100 children whose parents were affected by alcohol and violence. During her long life devoted to community service, Joy has trained and taught as a teacher’s aide, has been a women’s refuge worker, community advisor and public speaker. She’s lovingly sewn clothes for her community’s children, and voluntarily cleaned up the rubbish in the ‘town camp’. Despite her own health problems, Joy continues to give her endless love and maternal knowledge to others.