Language lover listed in Queen's honours

She's written countless books and spent most of her life acting as an intermediary between black and white Australia.

After 30 years fighting to preserve her peoples' language and culture, Veronica Mary Dobson has finally gained the recognition she deserves.

The Arrernte elder has been appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for service to the indigenous community as a linguist, naturalist and ecologist.

With fewer than 2000 speakers remaining, the central Australian Arrernte language is considered endangered.

Ms Dobson developed two curriculum documents and a colouring book to bring Aboriginal languages into mainstream schools in places like Alice Springs, and taught language courses to both Aboriginal and non-indigenous adults.

Since the 1980s Ms Dobson has worked in many different translating and interpreting roles for media organisations, courts and hospitals.

The many books she has co-authored cover a variety of topics, including kinship and traditional healing.