Antoinette is the CEO of Djirra, an organisation providing holistic and specialist legal and extended support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who experience family violence. In 2020, Antoinette was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, in 2022 she was named Melburnian of the Year, and in 2023 she was named a Member of the Order of Australia. Antoinette graduated in 2000 from Deakin’s Institute of Koorie Education, now known as The National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute.
A message from Antoinette:
I am incredibly honoured to be a recipient of the Deakin Alumni Award. My time at NIKERI (formerly known as IKE) was critical in setting me on my current path and journey to Djirra. I want to thank the staff, mentors and students who guided, encouraged and supported me along the way. I would like to thank my family and friends, and especially, my mum Wanda Bargo. Mum has shown me unwavering support, has modelled the towering strength and resilience of Aboriginal women, and encouraged me to be courageous and daring. After graduating from Deakin with an LLB I have taken every opportunity to elevate, amplify and advocate for Aboriginal women’s voices and experiences to be visible and heard. I dedicate this award to all the women who continue to place their trust in me as a driving force for change.