Christine Ross

In every generation, there are leaders who command attention, and then there are those who command respect through quiet strength, cultural integrity, and unwavering commitment to their people. Christine Ross stands firmly in the latter. With more than four decades of service across education, health, media, government, and industry, her life’s work has been guided by a singular purpose: to create a stronger, more equitable future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly for women and young people.

A proud Arrernte, Eastern Arrernte and Kaytetye woman, Christine was born in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in the Northern Territory and raised in Larrakia Country in Darwin. She comes from a powerful matriarchal line of strong Aboriginal women who have long been the backbone of their culture and the glue that holds families together. That foundation shaped her worldview and leadership philosophy. Today, as a proud mother of two, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of two, her greatest legacy is ensuring that her grandchildren grow up deeply proud of their Aboriginal culture, identity, and heritage.

Now living in Whadjuk Noongar Country in Western Australia, Christine’s influence extends from remote communities to national policy discussions and corporate boardrooms. Yet her leadership has never been defined by titles or positions. It is defined by her ability to bring people together, to create culturally safe spaces, and to ensure that Aboriginal voices, especially women’s voices, are heard, respected, and valued.

Throughout her career, Christine has organised numerous National NAIDOC Conferences, as well as forums celebrating Aboriginal businesses, and the widely recognised Black Coffee Networking Event held monthly in Boorloo. These initiatives have become vital platforms for connection, collaboration, and empowerment, fostering community strength and economic participation.

Her commitment to shifting systems and breaking down barriers has been tireless. Christine has championed cultural awareness training for thousands of non-Indigenous Australians, helping organisations and individuals better understand how to walk respectfully alongside Aboriginal communities. She has consistently worked to shift narratives from deficit-based thinking to strength-based recognition, ensuring that culture remains central to every space she influences.

During the early days of COVID-19, when uncertainty and isolation were deeply felt, Christine responded by creating safe spaces for Aboriginal businesswomen to gather, share, and support one another. In the resource sector, she led the way by establishing the first Aboriginal Women in Mining WA conferences, opening doors in industries where representation had long been limited. At every critical moment, she has transformed challenges into opportunities for collective resilience and progress.

From 2016 to 2024, Christine created and hosted a powerful annual International Women’s Day Forum in Boorloo, showcasing eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women each year. These women, Elders and leaders from diverse language groups and generations, shared their lived experiences and stories. For Christine, it was essential that Aboriginal women’s voices were not only included but centred.

Her national leadership has also been significant. As Chairperson of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA) for four years, she represented Aboriginal women’s voices across Australia, advocating at the highest levels while remaining grounded in community realities.

What truly sets Christine Ross apart is her humility. She does not seek recognition or personal acclaim. Her focus has always been on the work itself, uplifting others, protecting cultural integrity, and ensuring that the next generation steps into spaces built with care, respect, and purpose. As a sole trader, she actively champions other Aboriginal women in business, supporting them in seeking funding, opportunities, and pathways to sustainable growth.

Christine is also a visible cultural role model. Often wearing Aboriginal-designed outfits and jewellery, she uses style as an expression of cultural pride and influence. Beyond symbolism, she has mentored numerous Aboriginal women and girls across Australia, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support as they step into leadership.

Her advice to young women, especially young Aboriginal girls, is both simple and powerful: believe in yourself and what you can achieve, always have a go. She recognises that they are the next generation of leaders and changemakers, and she continues to invest in their confidence and capacity.

Christine Ross is one of the most important cultural and community leaders of our time. Her legacy is not measured in accolades, but in lives changed, systems shifted, and generations empowered. In a world often driven by urgency and noise, she embodies the enduring power of deep listening, cultural accountability, and walking gently yet purposefully toward meaningful change.