Nova Peris made history as the first Aboriginal Australian to win an Olympic gold medal as a member of the victorious Hockeyroos team in Atlanta 1996. Her achievement also marked her as the first mother to win a gold medal for Australia since Shirley Strickland in 1956.
Born in Darwin in 1971, Nova Peris was renowned for her exceptional talent in hockey, characterized by her speed, agility, and attacking prowess, which set her apart on the international stage.
A trailblazer in the realm of sports, Nova Peris holds the distinction of representing Australia in two different sports—hockey and athletics—and across multiple Olympic Games. She remains the only person worldwide to have competed in consecutive Summer Olympic Games finals in two distinct sports and is also unique in having won Olympic and Commonwealth gold medals in different sporting disciplines.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Nova Peris made history again as Australia's first Aboriginal woman elected to Federal Parliament, representing the Northern Territory. She was also honoured as the first Aboriginal and Northern Territorian to secure an Olympic gold medal. Additionally, Nova had the prestigious role of being the first Olympic torchbearer for the Sydney 2000 Games.
Throughout her career in politics, particularly as a former Senator for the Northern Territory, Nova Peris has been a passionate advocate for Aboriginal rights and reconciliation in Australia. She has campaigned tirelessly on issues ranging from mental and physical health to racism, Indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and social justice.
Drawing from her diverse experiences in sports, government, and Aboriginal leadership, Nova Peris engages audiences with keynote presentations that resonate across ages, backgrounds, and sectors. She shares a deeply personal journey, touching on her family's history with the Stolen Generations, her upbringing in Darwin, including the impact of Cyclone Tracy, and her achievements in sports and politics. Nova also speaks proudly about her role as a mother and her ongoing pursuits beyond politics, offering inspiring insights into her remarkable life journey and future aspirations.
