A FORMER Macedon Ranges resident, Professor Kerry Arabena, has been honoured as a change maker in the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women, shining a light on her commitment to the Torres Strait Islander community.
A total of 24 fellow trail blazers, local champions, emerging leaders, family violence and workers’ rights advocates were among the notable inductees.
Prof. Arabena partners with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) to deliver the Ilan Style Fellowship for language revitalisation.
“We are part of a continuum of Victorian Women whose leadership may not always be recognised in the moment, but it is impossible to ignore over time,” she said.
“As the recipient of the Change Maker award, I believe it is important to show not only the capacity to lead change agendas, but also the capacity to change ourselves when the moment demands it.”
Recently, Prof. Arabena launched Meriam Mer, a bundle of six early years language learning sets which are beautifully illustrated by Torres Strait Islander artist, Irene Lehmann.
The educational resource brings a combination of English and Meriam Mer, the language of the Meriam people into classrooms and homes and also introduces important cultural themes around nature, sea animals and family life.
Another reason for the honour is a list of outstanding contributions for embedding cultural integrity, equity, and community wellbeing including gender equity in practice, offering equal pay, a four-day working week (at full-time pay) superannuation during maternity leave, and strong investment in staff development.
Her company, Ilan Style is dedicated to creating high-quality native Australian wellness products and the company is 100 per cent owned by Indigenous women.
Minister for Women, Natalie Hutchins said highlighting women’s achievements is building a more gender equal Victoria.
“The Honour Roll is proof that leadership takes many forms,” she said.
“From the classroom to the courtroom, from healthcare to community organising; its hard to be what you can’t see.”
