John Moriarty is a saltwater Yanyuwa man, originally from Borroloola, NT. A member of the Stolen Generations, he has a lifelong commitment to advocacy for Aboriginal equality, reconciliation and cultural engagement.
A professional footballer in the 1950s, John was the first Aboriginal man to be selected to play for the Socceroos. He has formerly held executive positions in federal and state departments of Aboriginal Affairs.
Considered a national design treasure, in 1983, John co-founded Balarinji with Ros Moriarty, which has become Australia’s most highly awarded Indigenous design and strategy studio. In 2012 John and Ros co-founded Moriarty Foundation, a charity that is transforming the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
John is a recipient of the Order of Australia, the St Peters Citizenship Award, a UNESCO Achievement Award and the Advance Australia Award for Service to Industry and Commerce, among many other honours.