Richard Walley

At just 23 years old, Dr Richard Walley OAM was chairing the Aboriginal advisory board and was actively involved in the formation or operation of the Aboriginal Housing Board, Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Alcoholism Committee, Aboriginal Sports Foundation and the New Era Aboriginal Fellowship.

In 1978, Dr Walley began his illustrious career in the Arts when, with three friends, he formed the Middar Aboriginal Theatre. Aiming to take the Nyungar culture from the South West corner of Western Australia to as many people as possible, Middar’s success can be gauged by its results. During its lifetime, the Middar group performed in 32 countries, on every continent, to live audiences totalling almost ten million people.

In 2020, Dr Walley was named WA's Senior Australian of the Year.