Women’s rugby league trailblazer, Katrina Fanning AO PSM, was last week named Canberra Citizen of the Year for 2023.
ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr says Ms Fanning, a Wiradjuri woman, was being honoured for her dedication to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“Over many years, Ms Fanning has been making a significant contribution in our community as the Head of Secretariat at the Coalition of Peaks on Closing the Gap, Director at Coolamon Advisors, a past Chair of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body as well as her contribution to rugby league at a local, national and international level,” said Mr Barr.
As Director of Coolamon Advisors, an Indigenous majority owned and managed consultancy company, Ms Fanning provides meaningful contributions to Indigenous development, participation and equity, he said.
Ms Fanning was the Chairperson of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (2017-2021) and was the Head of Secretariat, Coalition of Peaks on Closing the Gap (2021-2022).
She has also been recognised for her contribution to rugby league. Following success as a player, she was appointed Chairperson with the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council in 2012, was the President of Australia Women’s Rugby League, has been a Director of the Canberra Raiders since 2018 and is President of the Canberra Women’s Rugby League.
“I congratulate Ms Fanning on this recognition and I look forward to seeing her continued positive impact on our community over the coming 12 months and beyond,” the Chief Minister said.
