Deborah Ruiz Wall, OAM is 63 years old and has dedicated her life to promote reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. She received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to the community in areas of social justice, reconciliation and multiculturalism.
As a teacher, she has used education as a powerful tool to enlighten and empower people. The subject of her PhD, the liquefied natural gas development project in the Kimberley, raises important issues about the ongoing challenges in the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
Originally from the Philippines, she is a writer of non-fiction and poetry, and firmly believes that the pen can wield more power than the sword. “The bridging from one generation to the next is fundamental in the
embrace of continuity, change and survival,” she says.