Antoinette Braybrook AM

Aboriginal Rights
Community Service
Womens Right's
A headshot of Antoinette looking to camera

Antoinette Braybrook is an Aboriginal woman who was born on Wurundjeri country. Her grandfather and mother’s line is through the Kuku Yalanji. Antoinette is the CEO of Djirra, a position she has held since the service was established in 2002. Antoinette is also Co-Chair of Change the Record, Australia’s only national First Nations led justice coalition of legal, health and family violence prevention experts.

Antoinette seeks to give voice and visibility to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who experience family violence. She is a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control and self-determination.

“I am inspired by my mother to live boldly and courageously. She has fought hard for equality and to have our voices heard; I honour and carry on that legacy. As Aboriginal women we are strong and we never give up.”

Antoinette’s leadership and contribution have been recognised through numerous awards, including being honoured on the UN Gender Justice Legacy Wall in 2017, inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2020, City of Melbourne Awards, Melbournian of the Year 2022, Member Order of Australia Medal – 2023 King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List and Deakin Almuni Award for Excellence 2024.

During NAIDOC week 2023, Antoinette realised a long standing vision with the opening of a new Djirra centre in Melton. A Centre where Aboriginal women’s strength, resilience and self-determination is invested in, and culture is celebrated.

In 2024, Antoinette’s Churchill Fellowship gave her the  opportunity to learn from the experiences of other First Nations women across the world who are similarly working to end family violence through self-determined solutions.

Antoinette was recently awarded the Deakin Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her outstanding commitment to social justice, advocacy and service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples over two decades, and her vision and leadership in establishing Djirra.

 

Acknowledgement

This biography was provided by Djirra in consultation with CEO Antoinette Braybrook and Her Place Women’s Museum.

Djirra is a Community Controlled Organisation with over 20 years’ experience accompanying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Commemoration 

Local Women Paving the Way aims to increase conversations about women’s roles historically and currently in the City of Melton, and help us to work together to strive for a more equal, respectful and safe community for all. “We thank all women, everywhere, for inspiring us, for influencing us, and for continuing to paving the way”  The Local Women Paving the Way path is located in front entrance of the Melton Library and Learning Hub, 31 McKenzie Street, Melton, Victoria, Australia.

A plaque forming part of the Local Women Paving the Way path at the Melton Library and Learning Hub, 31 McKenzie Street, Melton, recognises Antoinette’s contribution to Aboriginal women’s rights and community leadership.

 

VISIt

A headshot of Antoinette looking to camera

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