The Australian Women's Register

The Cairns-based indigenous youth advocate, Tania Major, used her profile to draw attention to domestic violence in  Aboriginal communities. Her forthright way of addressing the problems focused national attention on them.

She broke the ice of public discussion about a number of issues concerning the welfare of young Indigenous people when she was featured on national television programs such as Four Corners and 60 Minutes. She made some people feel very uncomfortable, and was happy to do so. She spoke directly and very publicly to the prime minister and other opinion leaders about the appalling secrets of domestic violence in her community in the belief that the best way to represent her people was to tell the truth.

“I’m proud to be an Aboriginal Australian and to have been recognised and acknowledged for the work I’m involved in,” Ms Major said.

In 2009, Tania Major is the only person within her particular community to complete a university degree; indeed, she is the only one to have successfully completed Year 12. Tania has become a role model not only for Indigenous youth, but also for all young Australian’s.