Ten prominent First Nations Victorians have been inducted onto the state's Aboriginal Honour Roll.

Artists, advocates and activists were added to the 14th Honour Roll in recognition of their achievements across education, the arts, sport, health and community leadership.

Introduced by Minister for First Peoples Ros Spence, the new inductees join 158 First Nations Victorians already recognised for their contributions to Aboriginal life and community across the state.

"The Aboriginal Honour Roll is a list of legends who have shaped their communities and Victoria for the better," Ms Spence said.

"These trailblazers are prime examples of how First Nations excellence and advocacy make our state stronger."

The 2026 inductees

Uncle Henry Atkinson

A respected community leader, retired professor, educator and author, Uncle Henry has spent his life fighting for recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty. He developed new courses in First Nations history and culture for student teachers at Monash University and also worked at the University of Melbourne and Deakin University as an educator, Elder and mentor.

Kylie Anne Belling

A renowned actor who appeared in The Sapphires, The Flying Doctors, Prisoner and Redfern Now, Ms Belling has also worked with community and government in the First Peoples sector for more than 30 years.

In 1985, she became the first Indigenous graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts and was nominated for an Australian Film Institute Award for Best Supporting Actor for her role as Noonah in The Fringe Dwellers.

Aunty Margaret Rose Atkinson

A proud mother of three, grandmother of 13 and great-grandmother of 24, Aunty Marg has been a director of the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency since 2012.

Widely respected for her work across community services and education, she has worked in early childhood, primary, secondary and adult education.

Dr Destiny Deacon Hon FRPS (posthumous)

A globally recognised artist, activist, educator and LGBTIQA+ trailblazer, Destiny Deacon became known for challenging stereotypes with humour. Her work often used everyday and mass-produced objects depicting Indigenous people in stereotypical ways, repurposing them into powerful social commentary.

She leaves behind a legacy of pride, creativity and empowerment that continues to inspire her family, community and artists around the world.

Aunty Jemmes Handy PSM

Recognised for a lifetime of service across youth programs, community organisations and justice advisory groups, Aunty Jemmes is a cultural leader, truth-teller and advocate dedicated to strengthening community, advancing justice and supporting healing.

Aunty Helen Morgan

After decades of work in Aboriginal health and community services in the Bairnsdale region, Aunty Helen has been recognised as a pioneer in Aboriginal health.

Alongside others, she helped establish Bairnsdale's first Aboriginal Medical Service in 1975, giving thousands of Aboriginal people access to culturally safe healthcare. She has also worked as a Koori educator supporting Aboriginal children in schools and, last year, was awarded Life Governorship of the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.

Uncle Joel Wright

Uncle Joel was the inaugural producer of ABC's Speaking Out and has long advocated for justice, culture and language, including helping local and state governments adopt First Nations placenames across Victoria.

With his cousin, he established the original Koorie Connection radio program at 3CCC FM in Harcourt near Bendigo. By the 1980s, he was producing The Koorie Connection talkback program at 3RRR FM. During his time at the ABC, he also lobbied for the establishment of Radio National's arts and culture program Awaye!. Both programs have now been running for more than 30 years.

Uncle Joel also spent a decade working at the National Tertiary Education Union and worked at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated as a Wurreker broker.

Aunty Annette Xiberras

An archaeologist, unionist, proud gay woman and one of Victoria's first Cultural Heritage Officers, Aunty Annette has worked in cultural heritage for more than 40 years and has been at the forefront of Aboriginal archaeology in Victoria.

The current chair of the Wurundjeri Nation, she co-founded the City of Yarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee — now known as the Yana Ngargna Advisory Committee — with Aunty Denise Lovett. She is also a member of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

Felicia Dean

As chief executive of Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative — the region's largest employer of Indigenous people — Ms Dean has spent more than 25 years serving her community and advocating for Yorta Yorta self-determination and Indigenous rights.

A board member of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, she also gave evidence to Yoorrook and has spent her life supporting and empowering First Nations people in Shepparton.

Aunty Daphne Yarram

An advocate for women's voices in First Nations policy and a driving force behind the Yoowinna Wurnalung Healing Service, Aunty Daphne has spent more than 40 years championing the safety and wellbeing of First Nations communities.

She served three terms as a director of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples and represented her region for three terms through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in the 1990s.

As chair of Aboriginal Housing Victoria, she helped secure $30 million to improve housing outcomes for Indigenous families and also led the Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Task Force.

The full list of inductees and their list of amazing achievements is available online.