Alison Milyika Carroll is from Pukatja (Ernabella) community in the APY Lands. She was born in the former Mission Hospital.

When Alison finished high school in St Philip’s College in Alice Springs, she returned to Ernabella and was able to pick up some office work as well as work in the craft room (now Ernabella Arts). She wanted to challenge herself through the work she was doing.

This marked the beginning of her career as a health worker. At the time, Nganampa Health Council had not yet been established, and health services for Aṉangu were managed from Adelaide. With other health workers already in place, she stepped into the role and began her journey. She later worked at Uluṟu because through her father she is a traditional owner.

She started as an arts centre worker in Ernabella, sometime after her family had been living at Uluṟu. She then moved to working in the arts sector through KuArts, a peak body in South Australia representing Aboriginal art centres. She is employed by KuArts as Aṉangu Mayatja (Senior Officer) representing the voice of Aṉangu artists, working alongside a non-Indigenous executive.

Alison is also Aṉangu Mayatja for Ernabella Arts.

Alison has a few different project interests with Central Land Council, and she is on the board of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuta National Park and Yulara Aṉangu Corporation.

An important concern for Alison is how young people are travelling as her generation retires and ages. She really cares about them and wants to see young people following in our footsteps. This interest enables her to make an important contribute to her local community as Chairperson of Pukatja School.

Alison has won the Premier Award in South Australia for her work in the arts, and she have won a national Red Ochre award in 2020 being recognized as an outstanding Indigenous artist. It was given to her for a lifetime of achievements.

Terms served at NPY Women’s Council:

• 2024-2026 (Director)