đ¤2025 Keynote Speaker Announced
Reflecting our 2025 theme, âBeing at Home in the NT,â we are delighted to welcome Peter McMillan as the Keynote Speaker for this yearâs Awards Ceremony.
Peter McMillan has more than 35 yearsâ experience in executive and senior management roles across manufacturing, mining, regional development and housing. He has lived and worked in communities across Australia, from the Illawarra and Melbourne to Groote Eylandt, Bathurst and Darwin.
Over the past 11 years, Peter has been Chief Executive Officer of two peak bodies, including eight years at NT Shelter. His tenure culminated in a successful advocacy effort to secure needs-based funding for frontline specialist homelessness services – a significant outcome for the sector and the people it supports.
Peterâs leadership is underpinned by a strong commitment to collaboration, evidence-based decision making and effective policy advocacy. Above all, he helps organisations and communities strengthen their impact through data-led insights and storytelling to make a real difference.
Image: Peter McMillan
đ2025 Theme Announced
Weâre excited to announce the theme for the 2025 NT Human Rights Awards:
â¨Being at Home in the NTâ¨
This year’s theme invites us to see home not only as a place of shelterâbut as a place of welcome. A true home is where everyone belongs, no matter their gender, sexuality, faith, race, culture, disability, age, or visa status. It is a place where people are not just housed, but seen, safe, and valued for who they are.
As the NT faces housing pressures and population challenges, this theme calls us to build communities that actively embrace diversity and protect the rights of those who are too often pushed to the margins. Strengthening our Territory means strengthening our commitment to inclusionâbecause a just and thriving NT is one where no one is left out or left behind.
The awards will recognise those whose actionsâlarge and smallâprovide homes not just of brick and mortar, but of community, connection and hope. The awards are about extraordinary people doing extraordinary work to make the NT home for everyone.
đ¤ Co-Conveners Steering Committee
The NT Human Rights Awards, initiated and driven by the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission, is governed through a shared leadership model with a Co-Conveners Steering Committee, comprising members from the NT Anti Discrimination Commission (ADC), Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS), Melaleuca Australia, NT Council of Social Service (NTCOSS), Rotary Club of Darwin South and community members.
Image below (L-R): Joanne Schilling, Steve Wheelhouse, Susan Williams, Kwame Selormey, Mollie Harding, Belle Allison & Feroz Ibrahim.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Oversee the planning, organisation, promotion and conduct of an annual NTHRA event.
- Provide leadership in the coordination and integrity of the NTHRA nomination and judging processes.
- Provide leadership in developing corporate frameworks that enable the financial viability and contemporary relevance of the NTHRA.
đ§ For further information or if you are interested in joining the Co-Conveners Steering Committee, please email: nthumanrightsawards@nt.gov.au.
âď¸ Judging Panel
- The Judging Panel ensures a fair, transparent and independent selection process. The Judging Panel is completely separate from the NT HRA Co-Conveners Steering Committee to maintain objectivity.
- We are proud to announce the 2025 Judging Panel:
- Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam (Chair)
- Justice Jenny Blokland
- Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ruth Wallace