For decades, educators and community advocates have shaped the opportunities available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across New South Wales.

On January 26, one of those long-standing contributors was recognised at a national level.

Aunty Linda Olive has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2026 honours list for her service to education and to the Indigenous community of NSW.

A life member of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), Aunty Linda has spent much of her working life supporting Aboriginal students and families within the education system.

She currently works as an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer at Hastings Secondary College, where she has played a central role in strengthening connections between schools and community.

Her work has focused on supporting Aboriginal students and families to navigate school while bridging cultural and social realities often overlooked in the curriculum.

In announcing the honours, the NSW Department of Education acknowledged Aunty Linda's long-standing commitment to Aboriginal education and community leadership.

"The awards not only recognise the commitment of our teachers to their profession, it also highlights the important role they play as pillars of their communities," NSW Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said.

Aunty Linda's life membership of the AECG places her among senior Aboriginal education advocates who have helped shape policy and practice in NSW for decades.

Established in the 1970s, the AECG has long argued for community-led input and cultural respect in schooling, giving Aboriginal parents and carers a voice in decisions affecting their children's education.

For students, families and colleagues, her award is both a moment of pride and a reminder that much of the most important work in education happens quietly, over many years, within community.