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Echuca’s Yorta Yorta elder, Aunty Melva Johnson has been named on the inaugural Australian Indigenous Honour Roll list.

Aunty Melva is one of 20 Victorians to be listed on the Honour Roll, the first of its kind in Australia, along with many other high-profile indigenous people including reconciliation pioneer the late Sir Douglas Nicholls, also a Yorta Yorta elder and the first Aboriginal man to be knighted.

Former world champion boxer and the first indigenous man to be named Australian of the Year, the late Lionel Rose was also honoured as well as internationally recognised and award-winning singer and musician, Archie Roach.

Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has personally congratulated Aunty Melva for her inclusion on the Honour Roll list.

“This Honour Roll acknowledges the many significant contributions from our indigenous leaders and Aunty Melva has been a tireless worker behind the scenes in helping to educate Aboriginal children in Echuca,” Mr Weller said.

In announcing the Honour Roll, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu made specific mention of Aunty Melva as a quiet achiever and said the many inductees were inspiring role models for all Victorians with achievements that deserved to be formally recognised and truly honoured.

Mr Weller said the Honour Roll was created following an election commitment from the State Government and as part of its broader commitment to closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Victorians.

“Aunty Melva and all of the inductees have made significant contributions to our society across many areas, including health, education, politics, sport and the arts,” Mr Weller said.

Members of this inaugural Honour Roll group were nominated by people across Victoria and selected with the assistance of an advisory panel made up of Indigenous people from a range of backgrounds.

“It is very important that we learn about and acknowledge the work of many indigenous Victorians like our own Aunty Melva who have made tremendous contributions to their communities,” Mr Weller said.