Linda Burney has been awarded the 2023 Charles Sturt University Alumni of the Year – Social Impact, recognising her decades-long social impact as an Indigenous leader.

Dr Burney received the award as part of CSU's 2023 Alumni Awards on Foundation Day (Wednesday), celebrating 34 years since the University's inception.

The first Aboriginal student to graduate from Mitchell College of Advanced Education (MCAE), an antecedent institution of Charles Sturt University, Dr Burney graduated with a Diploma of Teaching (General Primary) in 1979.

She taught at Lethbridge Park Public School in western Sydney after graduating, however with two years she was approached by the NSW Department of Education to join its Aboriginal Education Unit and develop and implement the NSW Department of Education Aboriginal Education Policy, the first of its kind in Australia.

Dr Burney went on to become Executive Officer and then President of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, where she led a paradigm shift in Aboriginal education, seeding a long overdue transformation in how Australian history is taught in schools.

She also spent four years leading the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, first as Deputy Director General then Director General, before transitioning to politics.

Awarded a Doctor of Education (honoris causa) by Charles Sturt in 2002, recognising her immense contribution to Aboriginal education, Dr Burney made the shift to politics and in 2003, became the first Aboriginal person elected to the NSW Parliament.

Serving more than 13 years as Member for Canterbury, Dr Burney drove crucial policy and reform across an array of high-profile ministerial portfolios including Community Services, Youth, and Women.

She then spent five years as Deputy Leader of the Opposition before winning the federal seat of Barton in 2016, making history again as the first Indigenous woman elected to Australia's House of Representatives.

Now as Minister For Indigenous Australian at a pivotal point in the nation's history, Dr Burney, a proud Wiradjuri woman is at the forefront of implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Dr Burney was one of six 2023 Charles Sturt University Alumni of the Year award recipients alongside Theresa Cochrane, who was awarded the 2023 CSU Indigenous Alumni of the Year.

2023 CSU Alumni of the Year Winners

Professional Excellence - Anna Coren

Research Excellence - Dr Bin Liang

Social Impact - The Hon Linda Burney

Innovation, Entrepreneurship Creativity - Craig Ford

Indigenous Alumni - Theresa Cochrane

Young Alumni - Aimee Snowden