One of Australia's most prominent advocates of indigenous causes in the past 30 years, The Honourable Hal Wootten, QC AC, will talk at Rockhampton's Pilbeam Theatre in May.

Central Queensland University Nulloo Yumbah director William Oates said Mr Wootten would deliver the first address in the centre's Annual Lecture series.

Mr Wootten has written and spoken widely on controversial Aboriginal and indigenous issues in Australia in the past 30 years.

The former NSW Supreme Court Judge was one of the Royal Commissioners into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and later as Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal he mediated on the Wik and other claims in Queensland and New South Wales.

In 1990 he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for his services to human rights, conservation, legal education and the law during a distinguished public service career. He is currently an Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of New South Wales.

Mr Oates said the centre was fortunate to have such a distinguished speaker to deliver the first address in the Annual Lecture series, which is aimed at raising awareness and discussion of indigenous issues.

Aboriginal dancers and traditional clapping will precede the address at the Pilbeam Theatre in Rockhampton at 6.30pm on Wednesday, May 1.

Mr Oates is available for immediate interview. For further information phone Ayesha Gottschleigh at CQU Community Relations on 07 4923 2506.