The Australian’s Australian of the Year: Hydrologist sailing ahead to lead Indigenous scientific excellence

CSIRO eco-hydrologist Sophie Gilbey’s achievements are a testament to how a single conversation can change the course of life.

Alywarr eco-hydrologist Sophie Gilbey Picture: Heidi Linehan

As a CSIRO eco-hydrologist Sophie Gilbey has travelled across the world researching how water — as rivers, oceans and rain — interacts and changes the land.

Her work, which has seen her travel as far as South Africa and investigate flooding in the Murray River, saw her become one of three Indigenous recipients of the prestigious 2022 Superstars of STEM.

Now, the 31- year-old Alywarr woman is working closely with CSIRO scientists to develop and expand the integration of “Indigenous science” as a recognised form of understanding and investigating the world around us.

“It’s about working with traditional owners every step of the way and letting them lead the programs,” she said.

Working as a jillaroo on the cattle stations of northwest Queensland, Ms Gilbey said after dropping out from school she never thought she could pursue higher education. Then a conversation with an environmental scientist visiting the station changed her life.

“I just asked him so many questions and I remember asking him why the Thompson River is brown,” Ms Gilbey said. “And the answer he gave me was so detailed, so in depth – in my mind, I wanted that knowledge for myself, to be able to see the environment because I do have quite strong connection to country.”

Now as one of Australia’s Superstars of STEM, Ms Gilbey will work to develop media communication skills and will support her as a representative in science. It’s an opportunity she says she hopes will work to inspire the future of Indigenous scientists in Australia.

“The thing that I really want to get out of this program is to inspire other young Indigenous women,” she said. “Our knowledge is powerful, and our connection to country is powerful. We’ve been doing science for thousands of years and it’s becoming more recognised now.”

It’s her rapid rise within the industry, her hard work and dedication to pursuing and furthering Indigenous excellence that has earned Ms Gilbey a nominations for The Australian’s Australian of the Year.

For Ms Gilbey, the nomination is not only an “honour” but being part of programs like this and Superstars in STEM are an important step in supporting the younger Indigenous generation to aspire for greatness.

“It’s extremely important to me because it wasn’t until I had that conversation that I realised that science was a career choice I could do,” she said.

We encourage our readers to put in a nomination for The Australian’s Australian of the Year, which was first won in 1971 by economist HC “Nugget” Coombs. Prominent Australians can be nominated by filling out the form above, or sending an email to [e-mail]. Nominations close on Friday, January 20.