Retirement of Deputy of Administrator of Northern Territory, Mrs Patricia Miller AO

NT Government

After almost 20 years of dedicated service our Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mrs Patricia Miller AO is retiring.

Mrs Miller has devoted her life to serving the people of the Northern Territory through her work, sporting and voluntary interests. Since 2002, in her role as Deputy of the Administrator, this has included carrying out a range of ceremonial duties on behalf of the Administrator in Central Australia.

Born in Alice Springs she has both traditional and pioneering ties in Central Australia. Her mother was a traditional Alyuwarre woman and her father was of Arrernte and Scottish heritage. As a native title holder she is involved in the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation.

She has been a passionate advocate for her community and a significant contributor to debate on issues relating to native title, social justice, education, legal services, health and welfare, and the media.

In 2004 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her service to the community. In the same year Mrs Miller was announced NT Australian of the Year, and was also named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary.

She was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa by Charles Darwin University in 2006 and in 2011 Flinders University honoured her with the Award of the Degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv).

As only the second Deputy of the Administrator for the Northern Territory and the first Aboriginal person to hold this role, Mrs Miller has attended more than 500 engagements over the past two decades, representing the Northern Territory with distinction.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mrs Miller (Pat) for her dedication to the people of the Northern Territory. She has carried out her role with dignity and distinction. Her service and her example have been outstanding.

Quotes from Her Honour the Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AO Administrator of the Northern Territory:

“On behalf of the people of the Northern Territory, and all former Administrators that Mrs Miller has represented, I offer my sincere gratitude for her commitment to the role of Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory and in particular to the people of central Australia over the past two decades.

“Mrs Miller is only the second person to be appointed to the role of Deputy of the Administrator and the first Indigenous person appointed to the role. I will always recall fondly the warm welcome she offered to Craig and I, when I became Administrator in 2017.

“Mrs Miller has been an outstanding Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory, always displaying warmth, compassion and integrity in her official duties, she is a remarkable Territorian with a heart of gold and I wish her all the very best in her retirement.”

Quotes from Mrs Patricia Miller AO Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory:

“It has been an honour to serve as the Deputy of the Administrator of the Northern Territory for nearly twenty years. Through this role, I have had the opportunity to support and recognise many incredible Territorians throughout central Australia, and here in my home of Alice Springs.

“I was honoured to fulfil this role when asked in 2002, the work of our Administrator and of the Deputy promotes a cohesive society and nurtures and celebrates what it means to be a Territorian.

“As the first Indigenous person to hold this role, I have had the opportunity to represent Australia’s First Nations people when welcoming visiting dignitaries to the Northern Territory. Some of the highlights of my time as Deputy of the Administrator, which were shared with my husband David, have been welcoming His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Alice Springs in 2005, hosting His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden and Her Majesty Queen Silvia.

“I thank my family, and I acknowledge their unwavering support, particularly that of my late husband David, who supported me throughout my career and in my role as Deputy of the Administrator.”

/Public Release. View in full here.