'Tireless advocate' Pat Miller to be honoured with state funeral

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family.

The son of a deeply respected Arrernte elder who spent her life fighting racial discrimination in the Northern Territory says the offer of a state funeral for his mother is a fitting acknowledgement of her legacy.

Patricia Ann Miller AO was born in 1946 to Milton and Polly Liddle, and described her childhood growing up on Angas Downs Station, about 300 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, as an idyllic one.

The recipient of many honours through her life, Dr Miller was named NAIDOC Aboriginal of the Year Award in 1995, and was the NT Australian of the Year in 2004.

In 2002 she became the first Indigenous deputy to the administrator of the Northern Territory.

Dr Miller's son, Allan Miller, said it had been overwhelming to see the "genuine outpouring of heartfelt well wishes" for his family following her death.

"Whether it be just time, whether it be lifts to anywhere, whether it be just being available for a kind ear, some guidance.

"She was not selfish in that way, as people attest to … [she] never sought any reward from any of that."

An incredible journey

Dr Miller's ascent to the helm of one of the Territory's largest legal organisations is inspirational.

In 1978 she joined the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service, now known as the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, as a filing clerk and typist.

By 1982 she had become director, a position she held for more than 30 years.

Mr Miller said his mother was always a "very smart woman".

"She did a community college course through a person she worked with at the old Alice Springs Airport cafe, and they pushed her to study," he said.

"She ended up [studying], but she went back to work. Someone said to my grandpa, 'What's your daughter doing selling pies and pasties in the cafe, why isn't she working in one of these organisations?'

"So that's how it started, as a filing clerk, typist, [before she] ended up [spending] 35 years as director."

Mr Miller said his mother thrived as deputy to the administrator and was always generous with her time and energy.

"She loved meeting new people at those events … she was always the last to leave as well," he said.

"Whether it be 10 minutes more or someone catch her as she's walking out the gate, or out the door, and she'd spend 10 minutes because I just wanted to ask her some questions or meet her."

Mr Miller said his father was his mother's "soulmate" and supported her completely. He accompanied her to many events where they rubbed shoulders with dignitaries and royals and was always able to hold his own.

"[Dad] would jovially say to his friends, 'Oh, Pat's got another function' … then he'd come back and tell us, 'Oh, I had a dinner with the King and Queen of Sweden at Uluru,'" Mr Miller said, a smile in his voice.

State funeral for woman with 'profound' legacy

Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said Dr Miller was an "extraordinary Territorian" who deserved the recognition of a state funeral.

"[Her] contribution to our community has been profound and enduring," Ms Finocchiaro said.

"Pat was a trailblazer who spent decades fighting for Aboriginal Territorians, championing access to justice and making sure people who too often went unheard had a voice."

NT Administrator David Connolly said he was "deeply saddened" by Dr Miller's death.

"A proud Arrernte woman and remarkable Territorian, Mrs Miller made history as the first Indigenous woman appointed deputy of the administrator and served the people of Central Australia with great compassion and integrity," he said.

"Her contribution to the Northern Territory extended far beyond her official duties, with a lifetime dedicated to her community and to advancing social justice, education, health and the wellbeing of others."