WARNING: This article contains the name and image of an Aboriginal person who has passed.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leader, Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG was farewelled at an emotional state funeral on Kaurna Country.
Hundreds gathered to honour the Yankunytjatjara woman at St Peter's Cathedral in North Adelaide on Friday.
The memorial was opened by Uncle Moogy Sumner, along with Jakirah Telfer and a yidaki player.
Ms Telfer, a Kaurna woman, gave an emotional speech and thanked Dr O'Donoghue for believing in her.
"I want to thank her for believing in us young people," she said.
"She was our owl. To those who don’t know, the owl [means] wisdom. It’s always there when it needs to be and our nation needed her."
She ended, sharing a "breath of the ochre" around the coffin.
National Aboriginal Bishop of the Anglican Church, the Right Reverend Chris McLeod, led the religious service before the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, was welcomed to speak.
Mr Albanese said while Dr O'Donoghue was "proud of being first" she was "determined not to be the last".
"When Dr O’Donoghue opened a door, she held it open for all who followed," he said.
"She made history but her focus was on giving people a future. She wanted to be the first of many."
Aunty Pat's tribute to a 'close friend'
Alyawarre woman and the Chairperson of the Lowitja Foundation, Pat Anderson AO was a close friend and colleague of Dr O'Donoghue.
She began her address by acknowledging the family, saying that despite it being a time of sadness, she hopes they can take comfort in the "love and respect" their loved one inspired.
Aunty Pat and Dr O'Donoghue worked together for many years, spending over a decade establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Institute - named later the Lowitja Institute, in her honour.
"She never stopped campaigning for justice for us. She did this characteristic toughness, humour and grace," she said.
Aunty Pat recalled standing on the footpath outside Darwin Courthouse at the very start of the legal battle with the Commonwealth over the Stolen Generations.
Riddled with anxiety, she watched a car pull up along the pavement and Dr O'Donoghue step out.
"She just turned up to be with us . . . it never occurred to us that she would come and spend 2 days with us, and she did," she said.
Aunty Pat spoke of her admiration for Dr O'Donoghue's "intellect and determination" which "demanded respect always".
"She was no-nonsense, her work ethic was unmatched - all because she loved us so," she said.
"In the fierce policy and political battles that went with the job, she was remarkable in that she never held a grudge. She never held a grudge, she was always willing to work with other people."
Aunty Pat acknowledged the date being International Women's Day and spoke of Dr O'Donoghue's impact on First Nations women.
A whole generation of First Nation women have flourished because of Dr O'Donoghue.
"They've told me stories of catching a glimpse of her . . . being totally starstruck and inspired to follow in her footsteps."
She recalled her deep love for her faith, which gave her joy and "sustained her in some hard and dark times of which there were many". She recalled her love of singing, and Thai food.
"Indeed a grand, a truly grand woman," she finished.
Paul Kelly performed Brown Skin Baby by Bob Randall on an acoustic guitar in the Cathedral.
"The family told me this was her favourite song," he said.
'We are proud she was ours'
Dr O'Donoghue's niece, Deborah Edwards took to the stage after the performance - noting that the memorial thus far would have been "exactly what she wanted".
Known to many as Deb, she introduced herself as Deborah as that was always what her Aunty called her.
She described her Aunty as a "kind, generous and compassionate, larger than life woman" who was always "immaculately dressed" and would zip around Adelaide in her ruby red Volkswagen which she always fitted with a packed full picnic basket.
"She was always ready," Deborah laughed.
Deborah recalled childhood memories with her Aunty, including her athleticism on the hockey field and visiting her at work or home. She remembered her Aunt leaving for the nation's capital.
"We missed her, we all had to adjust to not seeing her as frequently. . . we watched on with great pride," Deborah said.
"She handled it all with determination, a cool head, grace dignity and compassion.
"We knew she was independent however, we would have loved to have her close by."
For a decade, Deborah and her cousin cared for their Aunty, the time being a "gift she gave" to them.
"We loved her, we adored her, we have no idea what life will be like without her here. We are so proud of all that she was, all she achieved and all that she gave to our nation," she said.
"We are proud she was ours."
Deborah said it was a small act of love, naming the Lowitja Foundation in her honour and shared her Aunty's hopes for her.
"She asked me to continue her legacy . . . she would say the work will go on, she would also say stand up and be counted so that is what we must do," she said.
Turning to the coffin, Deborah shared a final moment with her Aunty.
"We all loved you Aunty, very much and we will see you again one day."
The memorial ended with Dr O'Donoghue's coffin being farewelled from the Cathedral to the sound of the yidaki.
