Born in 1935 in Thildoowam country, now known as Lissadell Station, Lena Nyadbi was one of a small group of pre-eminent artists working at Warmun Art Centre, Turkey Creek, in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Lena was a contemporary Aboriginal artist internationally recognised for her extraordinary installation on the roof top of the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. She has been a remarkable artist who keeps her heritage alive by creating dynamic and innovative artwork that is critically recognised by the international art community. Lena has also worked to preserve important ritual knowledge for future generations through the sharing of her knowledge of Country and culture.

Louise Howden-Smith possessed a passion for bringing Australian conversations, Dreamtime stories and contemporary influences to the stage through dance. In 2012 she founded the Ochre Contemporary Dance Company which brings together both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal dancers and visual artists to showcase the colour and vibrancy of the community through performance. Louise spent most of her life, including her time at WA Ballet, sitting on many community and arts boards helping to lift the standards of Western Australia’s artists. Louise was a state finalist for Senior Australian of the Year in 2014 and a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to performing arts.

David Flanagan, a geologist by trade, is an entrepreneur who in just ten years built Australia’s fifth largest iron ore exporter and top 100 ASX-listed company, Atlas Iron Limited. In addition to his contributions to the state from within the mine-site, David also received recognition for his philanthropic contributions to a variety of charities and Aboriginal organisations. He was presented with the Governor’s Award for Giving in 2011 and was the recipient of the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship in 2013. David is the Chancellor of Murdoch University and previously sat on the board of Giving West and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Professor Siddique has been recognised as an international leader in crop science, dryland agriculture and food production systems. He played a pivotal role in assisting Australian farmers to improve agricultural productivity and was instrumental in establishing the pulse industries both locally and nationally, through the development and release of chickpea, lentil and grass pea varieties which have superior quality and yield. His personal research and collaborations helped Australia become one of the major grain legume exporters in the world. Professor Siddique also led UWA’s Institute for Agriculture and established international collaboration in research and teaching between WA and China, India and the Middle East.

Nicola Forrest founded the Minderoo Foundation with husband Andrew in 2001, one of Australia’s largest philanthropic organisations. The Minderoo Foundation’s programs including GenerationOne, focuses on ending Indigenous disparity in Australia through employment initiatives, and the Walk Free Foundation which is a global organisation focused on ending modern slavery. Nicola was instrumental in diversifying the scope of the Foundation and fostering a holistic approach to community development. Nicola has also been a patron for Sculpture by the Sea, the Kimberley Rock Art Foundation and a Director of the Black Swan Theatre Company.

Justin Langer, declared one of Australia’s greatest top order batsmen, participated in 105 test matches scoring 7,696 runs including 23 test centuries. In 2009 he surpassed Sir Donald Bradman as the most prolific batsman in Australian cricket with a total of 28,068 first class runs. After his retirement from competitive cricket in 2007, Justin became Assistant Coach of the Australian cricket team before being appointed Coach of the Western Warriors and Perth Scorchers. He sat on numerous not-for-profit boards and was named a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008.

Timothy Lefroy, hailing from Moora in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region, has been committed to breaking down barriers in his community since he was a young student. Concerned about youth issues in his local electorate, he was elected as the Member for Moore in the 2012 Youth Parliament where he debated legislation and emphasised the need for better education and social infrastructure in regional communities. In the same year, Timothy was awarded the Elders Scholarship for academic achievement and potential to contribute to agribusiness. He studied economics and law at the University of Western Australia and recently completed honours research in to the viability of family farming in WA and alternative business structures.