Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons.
On Friday 12 December 2025, our Chair William Tilmouth, will be recognised as one of four finalists for the prestigious Australian Human Rights Medal at the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards. This recognition celebrates the lifelong leadership of an Arrernte man who has devoted himself to the rights of children, families and future generations.
William grew up far from his family after being forcibly removed and taken to the Croker Island mission as a child. It was a long road back to find his people. He returned to Alice Springs as a young man, reconnected with his family, and over time, to the Country, knowledge and language that he belonged to.
His experience of removal, racism, profound systems abuse and human rights violations deeply impacted him and shaped his commitment to the rights and dignity of all people. In particular to his Elders, and to children and young people.
His life commitment is to ensure that young people can grow up with the right to their language, culture and identity, with guidance and opportunity from the very beginning, so they can stay connected to family and culture through every stage of growing up.
William says:
“We cannot be complacent. I was born into injustice, and my people experience human rights violations everyday. We have not learnt the lessons from the past. Our children continue to be born into breaches of their dignity, safety and rights. This status quo leaves a wake of despair and pain for our families.
Our people never stop fighting for the rights of our children. We work for their self-determination and their right to choose. We work for their rights to culture and identity. That’s what I believe human rights is all about. People having a voice and freedom of choice.
My reaction initially to being selected as a finalist was ‘what did I do to deserve this?’, but thinking about it, it’s not about me. It’s about our Elders, the families, the communities, the parents, the grandparents and the children – those who are creating a better future every day. My nomination honours their determination, their strength and our collective vision for justice.”
Williams words guide our work at Children’s Ground every day.
William’s leadership spans more than thirty years, including ATSIC Regional Counsellor, Executive Director of Tangentyere Council, the Chair of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, the Chair of Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Services, and numerous councils. As a leader, he has strengthened community authority and created pathways for families to shape their own futures. His contribution has been recognised nationally, including his award as the 2023 National NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year.
As the founding Chair of Children’s Ground since 2011 he has led transformational change through a new system designed by First Nations people. This system places culture, Elders, governance and community voices at the centre and strengthens learning, health, culture and wellbeing for every child and family. It ensures that children born today can grow with opportunity, dignity and respect as foundations for their lives. Children’s Ground brings together his lifetime of work to advance real freedom, self-determination and human rights.
This honour from the Australian Human Rights Commission reflects the strength and vision he carries from those who came before him and from the communities he walks with today.
We invite you to hear more from William in his ABC Radio National interview from October.
We also invite you to read our Human Rights Day media release which highlights urgent concerns for children’s rights across Australia.
We will be cheering for William with pride and excitement. Thank you for walking with him and with our communities as we work for a future where every child grows up strong in culture and surrounded by opportunity.
