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THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG

BECAUSE OF HER, WE CAN!

CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK 2018

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The City of Greater Geelong pays honour, celebrates and acknowledges the contribution and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are part of the Greater Geelong Region.This commemorative photobook provides a snap shot of the richness and diversity of our the local community, along with quotes from community members on the 2018 NAIDOC theme, Because of Her, We Can!Please be advised that the following pages may contain pictures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed into the dreaming.

BECAUSE OF HER, WE CAN!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The City of Greater Geelong acknowledges Wadawurrung Traditional Owners of this land and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of the Greater Geelong community today.

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“It’s my passion, cultural responsibility and commitment that I continue to walk alongside our young girls in community, to allow them to connect with culture,

support them to become strong women, provide culturally safe communities for young people to be able to connect and grow strong…”

Corrina Eccles, Wadawurrung Woman

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“FOR GENERATIONS OUR WOMEN HAVE BEEN THE

HOLDERS OF THE FAMILY. THEY NURTURE, THEY PROTECT

US, THEY CARE FOR US. IT’S THE ABORIGINAL WAY…”

Aunty Julie Jose, Gunditjmara Woman

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TAHLIA AS DESCRIBED BY HER MUM RAYTahlia’s dedication to her goal of becoming Australia’s first Aboriginal woman field umpire continuously inspires Ray.

“Tahlia just shines in absolutely everything she does. She is the kindest, gentlest, and most loveliest heart you can ever imagine,” Ray says.

JOHANNA AS DESCRIBED BY HER MUM SUSANWhile Susan may be wiser and older than her daughter Johanna, she is still learning everyday in their relationship. Susan is continually inspired by the power Johanna has as a young Aboriginal woman, standing up for what she believes in and sharing her culture.Alongside her cousin, Bri, Johanna shares the stories of their lives being Aboriginal, whether it is face-to-face, in a group or as part of a Welcome to Country at school events.

“They do it (speak about culture) everyday, probably without even knowing it, amongst their friends and in school,” Susan says.

BRI AS DESCRIBED BY HER AUNTY SUSANBetween Susan’s niece Bri and her daughter Johanna, she is given strength from the connection and openness they all share. No moment is too tough when they have the support of each other.

As Susan says, “What we’ve learnt from each other, from the background of our lives and where we’ve started to where we are today, is that we are really strong together. We know how to pick each other up and we can laugh and cry when we need to as well. We’re good support for each other.”

JAYME-LEE AS DESCRIBED BY HER MUM RAYJayme-Lee is as inspiring as she is creative, having sung backing vocals and helped on Archie Roach’s album. Seeing Jayme-Lee take on board positive comments and rise above the negative ones is a source of inspiration for Ray. Jayme-Lee ’s actions and simple way of being, motivates Ray to do the same.

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“WE ARE LEADERS, NURTURERS, EDUCATORS… ROLES THAT ABORIGINAL

WOMEN PLAYED AND HAVE CONTINUED TO PLAY

OVER TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS…”

Marsha Uppill, Adnyamathanha Woman

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KIARAH AS DESCRIBED BY HER GRANDMOTHER COLLEENMuch like her grandmother Colleen, and her mother Meagan, Kiarah is quickly becoming a strong, independent woman. She has been raised with pride of who she is, an Aboriginal girl. Kiarah has respect for her family and those around her and the confidence to make her own choices in life. The leadership she shows in the Dhungala Children’s Choir, through the guidance of Aunty Deborah Cheetham, is inspiring.

GEMMA AS DESCRIBED BY HER SISTER RUBYA proud Yorta Yorta woman, Gemma serves as a role model to not only her sister Ruby, but to the Wathaurong youth in general. Ruby recognises it’s thanks to strong women like Gemma, that has helped her and the community achieve their goals and connect to their culture.

MIETTA AS DESCRIBED BY HER MENTOR CORRINAAs a young Aboriginal woman Mietta is paving her path, and is helping other young women in the community find the ability to do the same.

“She gives her heart and soul and is always available and takes on a massive leadership role with the Deadly Dancers, teaching them their first steps and painting their markings, passing on those stories that I’ve passed on to her,” Corrina says.

VERONICA AS DESCRIBED BY HER MUM MICHELLEThrough her daughter Veronica, Michelle has been given a new perspective on life. Working together with the homeless, Veronica has assisted Michelle in connecting with a different kind of community.

“Sitting with the homeless didn’t bother her, or to talk with them and help them and that’s something we shared together and both enjoyed,” Michelle says.

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“I CHOSE MUM AS MY INSPIRING WOMAN BECAUSE SHE IS THE

STRONGEST AND BRAVEST WOMAN I KNOW, IN THE WORLD. SHE HAS HAD SO MUCH

ADVERSITIES IN HER LIFE AND SHE HAS ALWAYS CHOSEN

THE POSITIVE PATH…”

Meagan Howell, Arrernte Woman

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SUSAN AS DESCRIBED BY HER DAUGHTER JOHANNA AND NIECE BRIEvery single day Bri’s Aunty Susan inspires and motivates her. Bri sees her as the rock in the family, continually bringing everyone together. Susan is rarely seen without a smile on her face, always trying to bring joy to those around her.

“All that she’s gone through in the past with the stolen generations and meeting family that she’s never known before but coming together, raising her kids and being there for everyone – she’s always there for anyone who needs help,” Bri says.

As Johanna says, “She’s a really strong person in my life and she’s always there for people.”

RUBY AS DESCRIBED BY HER SISTER GEMMARuby has helped her sister, Gemma, to be true to who she is. Both with a challenging upbringing, Ruby has had Gemma’s back with every trial thrown at them. Ruby is honest, relatable and a powerful young Aboriginal woman who inspires Gemma to no end. It’s these traits Ruby holds that have contributed to Gemma being comfortable in who she is.

“She’s just helped me come out of my shell, be me and be comfortable with who I am. I trusted her with everything that was going on in my life. I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without her. And she helped me just to be me. Having a strong sister who is Aboriginal, they enable you to be you and let your identity be strong,” Gemma says.

COLLEEN AS DESCRIBED BY HER DAUGHTER MEAGAN“Thank you for raising us strong independent kids. My sisters and I are strong independent women, and we are who we are because of you, mum,” Meagan says.

Colleen gains her strength from the power of her own mother, who had her eight children taken away. Colleen never got the chance to get to know her, but she knows in her heart she would have been a wonderful and beautiful woman.

MARSHA AS DESCRIBED BY HER CHILDREN DIESEL, BANJO & RIVERLEA, AND HUSBAND NICKBehind Marsha’s amazing eyes is a powerful Adnyamathanha woman, mother and wife. To her youngest son Banjo, she is the epitome of a strong woman. For her three children, she has been the passionate force ensuring they are connected to culture, have an understanding of where they come from and what it means to be Aboriginal. Outside of her own family, Marsha continues to empower and celebrate Aboriginal people and culture, continually looking for opportunity to share the richness of her culture.

As her husband says, “She is open 110%. Gives 110% of herself to whatever. She’ll love you 110%. She’ll fight for you 110%. She’s a mother 110%.”

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“ABORIGINAL WOMEN, THEY SET EXAMPLES, THEY ARE

SO GIVING. THEY TAKE ON A LOT AND ARE SO RESILIENT. WITHOUT THEM WE WOULDN’T

BE DOING WHAT WE DO”

Cormach Evans, Yorta Yorta Man

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“HAVING STRONG ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN MY LIFE ENABLES

ME TO LET ME BE ME, KEEP MY IDENTITY

REALLY, REALLY STRONG AND BE PROUD OF WHO I AM…”

Gemma Evans, Yorta Yorta Woman

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AUNTY JULIE SPEAKING ON THE STRENGTH THAT COMES FROM STRONG ABORIGINAL WOMEN WHO HAVE COME BEFORE HERAs a proud Gunditjmara woman, Aunty Julie is an important member of the Wathaurong community and is connected to this country through her grandfather John. Every day she recognises the importance of Aboriginal women’s role as nurturer, protector and supporter.

“A strong woman is someone who has the strength to talk. A strong woman supports and helps people. A strong woman is someone who motivates you, who sometimes challenges you and also protects you,” she says.

CORRINA AS DESCRIBED BY HER MENTEE MIETTACorrina is the footprints Mietta follows. Guiding her on Wadawarrung land, Corrina has supported Mietta through school, with family and in connecting to culture.

“She’s a huge impact, the reason I am myself today is because of her and that started with the Deadly Dancers,” Mietta says. “I’ve followed her and now I’m seen as a leader and that is thanks to her.” Corrina sees that this land is made up of the footprints of many Aboriginal people, and everyday she works to create culturally safe communities and environments so they can stand tall, be proud of their culture and share their stories.

HAVING A NETWORK OF CHANGE CHAMPIONS BRINGS VALUABLE COLLABORATION…

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“A STRONG FAMILY THAT SUPPORTS ONE ANOTHER,

BECAUSE EVERYTHING YOU’VE GONE THROUGH, YOUR FAMILY

WILL ALWAYS MAKE YOU A STRONG PERSON…”

Bri Apma-Hayes on the strength of Aboriginal women in our families.

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MEAGAN AS DESCRIBED BY HER MOTHER COLLEENMeagan is an individual, and that quality is a powerful thing. This is something she shows her mother Colleen every day, and something Meagan’s daughter Kiarah learns from.

“[My girls] are very powerful people in themselves and have great respect for everybody not just each other, ” Colleen says.

Raised to understand the importance of choice and making the right ones, Meagan shows her mother and her own children each day that everyone has the right to choose.

MICHELLE AS DESCRIBED BY HER DAUGHTER VERONICAVeronica and her mother Michelle share a special bond; its just been the two of them for 16 years. In the moments Veronica isn’t feeling well, feeling herself or just generally can’t find motivation, Michelle is the person who picks her up to keep going.

“She’s just very strong and always there, and keeps going on even when it’s hard. When I was having issues with my school and mental health, mum put up with me and kept going and helping,” Veronica says.

“It’s important for us to have strong Aboriginal women leaders in our community because they have helped us achieve what we have achieved today...”

Ruby Evans, Yorta Yorta Woman

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“IT’S IMPORTANT AS WOMEN THAT WE CONTINUE THAT JOURNEY,

THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR OUR FAMILIES, OUR CHILDREN,

OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR YOUNG ONES…”

Aunty Julie Jose, Gunditjmara Woman

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THANK YOU Thank you to all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and members of

the Geelong community who participated in events held by the City of Greater Geelong throughout 2018 and agreed to be part of this commemorative book.

Abby Rose Chatfield

Ammie Howell, Ngara

& Indi McEwen

Belinda Foley

Bri Apma-Hayes

Brianna Doolan

Cathy Walker

Chris Murphy

Christine Couzens MP,

Member for Geelong

Aunty Colleen Howell

Corrina Eccles

Danielle Parker

Ebony & Ollie Hickey

Ebony & Rocky Abrahams

Edwina & Greg McHenry

Elsie Coates

Emmalina McLachlan

Ferne Millen

Fiona Nelis & Kaela Schlensog

Fiona Ryan

Gemma Evans

Gloria Allen

Harper & Ruby Bogaers

Hayley Couzens

Hayley Johnson

Heather Nankervis

Jake Budge

James Jose

Jasmine Knox & Lili Lovett

Jasmine-Skye Marinos

& Zak Tei

Jessie Abrahams

Joanne Nicholson

Jodie Chatfield

John Murray

Joleen Ryan

Julie Jose

Karen Anderson

Aunty Kate Campbell

Kerri Murphy

Aunty Kerrie Black

Kevin Ryan

Kiralee Hogema

Kylie Clarke

Kym Monohan

Liz Abrahams

Liz Tanner

Louise Warner

Mandy Miller

Aunty Margie Hayes

Marsha, Riverlea, Diesel & Banjo Uppill

Meagan Howell, Kiarah, Darcie, Charlie & Kion Judd

Michael Cussens

Michelle Gray

Mick Ryan

Mietta Scarlett

Aunty Naomi Surtees

Patricia Chatfield

Pepa Castro

Ray Hollis, Tahlia & Jayme-Lee Black

Renee Fiolet

Renee Howell, Zach, Cooper

& Madi van Parreren

Renee Owen

Riley Evans-Knox, Piper,

Abe & Nellie Knox

Rod Jackson

Ruby Evans

Sandra Brogden

Sharelle McGuirk

Sharni Couzens

Sia Gilmore

Sophie Johnson

Stephanie McLachlan

Stephi & Sarah Murphy

Aunty Susan Collins & Johanna Collins

Tahlia Dempsey

Thomas Jose

Uncle Richard Fry

Veronica Gray

Wayne McEwen

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CITY OF GREATER GEELONGPO Box 104 Geelong VIC 3220 P: 5272 5272 E: contactus@geelongcity.vic.gov.au www.geelongaustralia.com.au

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE100 Brougham Street Geelong VIC 3220 8.00am – 5.00pm

© City of Greater Geelong 2018

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