Nova Peris

Olympic champion and former Australian senator.

Early life and hockey

Peris was born in Darwin. She played hockey for Australia and was part of the Hockeyroos team that won gold at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, becoming the first Indigenous Australian to win Olympic gold.

Athletics

She later competed in track and field, winning gold medals in the 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. She represented Australia in athletics at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Parliament

Peris was elected as a senator for the Northern Territory in 2013, the first Indigenous woman elected to the Commonwealth Parliament. Parliamentary records show that her Senate service ended in 2016.

Sources

• Australian Olympic Committee biography
• Parliament of Australia biography

Reviewed 23 September 2026. Roles and programs can change. This is an independent biographical summary; it does not imply her involvement with or endorsement of this site. Request a correction.