Denise Mary Champion

Denise Mary Champion (born 1957) is an Aboriginal Australian deacon in the Uniting Church in Australia who serves as an outreach worker. She was the first Aboriginal woman from South Australia to be ordained in any Christian denomination.

Early life and education Denise Mary Champion is from the Adnyamathanha nation, from the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Her Adnyamathanha name is Warrikhana, and she was the second-born in her family. She later moved to Adelaide to attend Norwood High School. For year twelve, she attended Port Augusta High School. Champion was ordained as a deacon in the Uniting Church on 20 June 2015. The ordination was held at the Adelaide West Uniting Church. She has helped organise and lead cultural exchange programs between First and Second people in Australia. In 2020, Champion was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) in recognition of her accomplishments as a Christian scholar and leader.

Works In 2014, Champion wrote a book entitled Yarta Wandatha, with Rosemary Dewerse. She uses storytelling as a method of theological reflection. It was self-published, and available through the Uniting Church South Australia. In 2021, Champion wrote Anaditj with Dewerse, again self-published.