Following our announcement of the Women in Defence Awards 2025 finalist, ADM will be introducing each of our amazing finalists across the categories in more detail. Today we are focusing on the finalists in our Indigenous category.
In this category, judges were looking for entries that exhibited a remarkable contribution to Defence or defence industry from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman. The finalists in this category are all-rounders who demonstrated excellence in their roles in 2023, a clear commitment to personal values, and a willingness to advocate for others and support community.
The winners and Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at a gala dinner at The National Arboretum, Canberra, on 15 October 2025. Book your tickets here – we hope to see you there!
|
Crystal Dutubure Crystal ((Woody Minnipinni) is Design Manager for ACOR Consultants, coordinating and managing overall Design deliverables from all disciplines whilst undertaking crucial Defence Stakeholder engagement on and off site. Crystal has had to quickly step and work outside her comfort zone, including crucial design support for the new gym and OR Mess at Larrakeyah Barracks, and is actively conducts STEM outreach and Indigenous engagement across Darwin. |
 |
|
Tracey Hoffman Major Tracey Hoffman is a descendant of the Gubi Gubi and Kulali people, and is an Army nursing officer. MAJ Hoffman promotes readiness for 51 Far North Queensland Regiment soldiers across Cape York and the Torres Strait. In 2024, MAJ Hoffmann organised for a Defence Dental Team to provide dental care to all community members, not just soldiers. During her tenure, there has been a dramatic rise in vaccination rates to soldiers, better quality medical reporting, and increased medical support for communities across the region. |
 |
|
Joanne Schadenberg Jo Schadenberg is a Kamilaroi woman, and is the Front Office Manager and MEC Clerk at JHU-CNSW Albatross Health Centre. As an Indigenous Liaison Officer, Jo not only offers her support to the Health Centre but the population of HMAS Albatross and local community. Jo is a Defence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network leader for both HMAS Albatross and Creswell, encouraging Indigenous Defence/APS/contractors to embrace their culture/mob for support, and assists both with her connections between Defence and local elders. |
 |
