Deputy of the Administrator - Mrs Pat Miller AO

Mrs Pat Miller was born in Alice Springs and has lived in Central Australia all her life. Mrs Miller was appointed as Deputy of the Administrator on 30 June 2002 and she was sworn in on 20 September 2002 . As Deputy of the Administrator she carries out a range of ceremonial duties on behalf of the Administrator in Central Australia .

Mrs Miller is a member of the well-known Liddle family which has both traditional and pioneering ties in Central Australia . Her mother, Polly Liddle, is a member of the Arrernte tribe of Central Australia and her father, Milton Liddle, was part-owner of Angus Downs Station, south west of Alice Springs .

Mrs Miller spent her early years on Angus Downs Station. She moved to Alice Springs at the age of 11 but often returned to Angus Downs Station in subsequent years.

Prior to 1978 Mrs Miller spent a number of years working in wholesale/distribution companies in Alice Springs . In 1978 she joined the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service. She started working with CAALAS as a filing clerk, and progressed through the organisation. In 1982 Mrs Miller was appointed Director and still holds this position today.

Mrs Miller has a keen interest in basketball and hockey and has represented Alice Springs in basketball and represented the Northern Territory in hockey. Mrs Miller also currently plays a role, by virtue of being a native titleholder, within the Lhereartepe Body Corporate in Central Australia .

Mrs Miller has received many awards over the years, these include:

• NAIDOC Aboriginal of the Year - Awarded for her commitment and contribution to Aboriginal Affairs. Presented by NAIDOC in July 1995, signed by Charles Perkins.

• NAIDOC Aboriginal Special Recognition - Awarded for her contribution to Aboriginal organisations in Central Australia celebrating 30 years of the 1967 referendum which gave all Aboriginal people the same rights of all Australians. Presented by 1997 NAIDOC Committee, July 1997.

• Centenary of Federation Medal - Awarded for service to the community as a member of many organisations and groups. Awarded in 2003.

• Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship - Awarded in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world. Presented in 2003, signed by Glen Kinross, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Trustees and Bhichai Rattakui, President of Rotary International.

• Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2004.

Mrs Miller has been involved in many local organisations over the years, and has served on a range of committees including -

• Alice Springs Hockey Association (Committee member and registered member 1960-1982)

• Alice Springs Basketball Association (Committee member and registered member 1962-1982)

• Pioneer Football Club (Member since 1965 and life member since 1985)

• Gillen Pre-School Council (Member 1976-1977)

• Women's Community House (Committee member 1981-1985)

• Central Australian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (Committee member 1983-85)

• Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (Committee member 1983-2003)

• Sadadeen Secondary College Board (Committee member 1986)

• Imparja Television Board (Member 1987-1996: Chair since 1997)

• Red Cross Alice Springs Committee (Committee member 1990)

• Institute of Aboriginal Development Board (Committee member 1998-2001)

• Arrerente Council (Committee member 1999-2002)

Mrs Miller continues to provide advice and assistance to a wide range of community organisations in Central Australia .

Mrs Miller is married to husband David and they have two sons, Allan and Steve, and two grandchildren.