A leading First Nations journalist with deep ties to northwest New South Wales has been recognised on the national stage, with Lorena Allam named a 2026 Luminas honouree.
A proud Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay woman whose family is from the region, Allam received the Leadership in Media honour at the inaugural Luminas ceremony, held at the Sydney Opera House on 30 April.
The Luminas, a new national honours program presented by Diversity Arts Australia and Media Diversity Australia, celebrates First Nations and culturally diverse leaders shaping Australia’s arts, screen and media landscape.
Lorena Allam is a four-time Walkley Award–winning journalist descended from the Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay peoples of northwest NSW, with more than four decades of experience across Australia’s media landscape. Until recently the Indigenous Affairs Editor at Guardian Australia, she has taken up a new role as Professor of Indigenous truth-telling research at the Jumbunna Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, where her work focuses on building a foundation for ongoing truth-telling in Australia while continuing to produce impactful journalism on Indigenous issues.
Allam spent 30 years with the ABC across radio, television and digital platforms, including 14 years presenting and producing Awaye! on Radio National, and was the broadcaster’s first Indigenous editor overseeing national programming.
Her reporting has earned multiple major awards, including four Walkleys, for coverage of issues such as Aboriginal deaths in custody, frontier conflict and the Juukan Gorge destruction. Beyond journalism, she has contributed to the Bringing Them Home inquiry, led Indigenous collections at the National Film and Sound Archive, and continues to support the sector through mentoring and her role on the Community Broadcasting Foundation board.
Allam was recognised alongside a distinguished group of honourees, including photographer and performance artist William Yang, broadcaster Jan Fran and Bundjalung arts leader Rhoda Roberts AO.
Spanning three categories, Storyteller, Leadership and Hall of Fame, the awards highlight excellence across the creative industries and media sectors, from bold storytelling to transformative leadership and lifetime achievement.
Diversity Arts Australia CEO and Executive Producer Lena Nahlous said the program marks a significant milestone in recognising underrepresented voices.
“We’re proud to be producing this inaugural event, the first of its kind on this continent,” she said.
“It’s timely and necessary that we recognise and honour First Nations and culturally diverse communities, their labour, creativity and contribution to the arts and media.”
Media Diversity Australia CEO Paula Kruger said the awards send a strong message to those working across the sector.
“The Luminas program shows all First Nations and culturally diverse people in Australian media that we see your work, we know your worth, and we value the way you kindle the potential of those around you,” she said.
“Our honourees today are fine examples of the Luminas spirit.”
The Luminas is the first national honours program of its kind dedicated to celebrating First Nations and culturally diverse leadership across arts and media, with organisers hoping it will become an enduring platform for recognition.
For regional communities across northwest NSW, Allam’s recognition highlights the growing national impact of voices grounded in local stories and lived experience.
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