Milestone 25 years for Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service

The Territory’s Aboriginal Interpreter Service will celebrate its 25th year at an anniversary event in Alice Springs.

NT Community Development Minister Steve Edgington in Alice Springs, 2025. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The Territory’s Aboriginal Interpreter Service will celebrate its 25th year at an anniversary event in Alice Springs.

During its 25-year history, AIS has grown to about 60 ongoing staff and over 230 contracted interpreters providing a service across 39 Aboriginal languages.

Community Development Minister Steve Edgington said the service is the only fully accredited Aboriginal interpreter service in the Territory and was the first government-run interpreter service in Australia

“Since it was established by the Northern Territory Government in 2000, AIS has provided crucial services for people who do not speak English as a first language to understand health, housing and legal services,” said Mr Edgington.

“Interpreters are there in courtrooms, hospitals, call centres and other key services, making sure people understand and are understood.

“Their work is essential, and we thank them for it.”

Thursday’s celebration will honour the top 20 longest serving interpreters, including Heather Rosas, from Tennant Creek, and to celebrate interpreters like Della Pearce, who is based in Alice Springs.

Ms Pearce, who speaks Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjara, said: “I enjoy helping my people and building relationships with fellow interpreters and making lifetime friends.”

As well as providing an interpreter service, AIS has contributed to many strategic partnerships and projects over the years, including the Menzies School of Health Research and more recently with NT Police.

Originally published as Milestone 25 years for Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service