I was born on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. I have 2 Sons who have blessed me with 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. I had no daughter but was also blessed by my eldest son giving me twin granddaughters and my second son with twin granddaughters as well.
My two grandmothers were both born in the Torres Strait. One of my grandfathers had come from the Philippines and the other from the West Indies. They both came to the Torres Strait for work in the pearling industry.
My mother moved to the mission on Hammond Island after meeting my father. They moved to Thursday Island where I was born. I had 13 other brothers and sisters.
Dad also worked in the pearling industry on the luggers. This meant he could be at sea, away from home, for lengthy periods of time. Before he left on his trip’s he would make sure we had a good supply of fish. These were salted and frozen so that we had sufficient supply of food while he was away.
I remember going to school and swapping my crayfish sandwiches for vegemite sandwiches with the non- indigenous children. I still like my vegemite and cheese sandwiches but wouldn’t swap a crayfish sandwich for it!
Mum spent most of her time at home with her 14 children, getting them ready for school, cooking meals etc. We also learnt how to look after each other from mum, and dad thought the boys how to hunt if whenever we needed or ran out of seafood or meat while he was away.
I left school quite early in Year 9. I was a bad asthmatic and it disrupted my education. It always bothered me about my education level. This gave me the incentive of moving down south but I always checked in with mom and dad to let them know I was OK.
I had many jobs. These included being an Assistant in Nursing, at the Torres Strait Hospital. In this job I was on the wards with the patients, but I also had to work in the surgery during operations those days with no proper qualifications the job was directed, and you had to do it.
I also worked as a barmaid and a waitress on Thursday Island then travelled down south to seek further work options. I worked for Townsville Aboriginal & Islander Housing as an administration assistant. When I worked there, I met Eddie Koiki Mabo who was on the Board of the service. It was here that I started to learn about Native Title issues through being a Secretary for Eddie Koike Mabo.
I did a number of other jobs including being a Teaching Aide, I even went to Canberra and studied shorthand at the Pittman Shorthand Training Centre . I had wanted to be a court stenographer. While I was there, I competed against an American student and beat her twice in a speed test on Shorthand, I was sad when I heard that this type of position was taken away later.
I returned back to Thursday Island in 1990’s and got a job in the bank. Here I met my current husband. We’ve been married now for 30 years. In the bank we travelled around being moved from town to town. During this time, I studied computer technology. When my husband resigned form the bank we moved to Townsville, I got a job with the Townsville Aboriginal health Service. I worked in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing area. In this job I connected with the Stolen Generation programs and am still involved in these programs. It’s been over twenty years that I’ve been connected with these programs and wish to remain connected with them.
After about 8 years in Townsville, we moved to Cairns to be close to my sister who had taken ill. I applied for a job at Wuchopperen Health Service in the Mental Health Program.
I had been studying Counselling and was ready to graduate when I had a heart attack. The doctors wanted to do a triple bypass operation, but I wanted to graduate first. The doctors gave me medication to make sure I stayed well enough to graduate. On the day of my graduation, I was getting ready to walk up to the stage when my shoe broke. I thought I could go up bare footed but my Niece managed to find some tape in the cloak room and taped my shoe together so I could walk up with shoes on. A few weeks later I had a triple bypass operation in Townsville. I am now just about to finish my next qualification in Leadership and Management. I believe it doesn’t matter what your age is but if you’ve got a goal go for it. Education gives you so much.
We have a big family. Our last family reunion, on my mum’s side was over 500 people, this took place in 2011. Now soon to have another in 2022 in Mackay where most of our elders reside.
My connection to the South Side since residing in Bentley Park and Edmonton over the past 5years and working in my job as a Social & Emotional Wellbeing Worker for 8years with Wuchopperen Health Service gives me the opportunity to support and engage with all of the Service Providers that I frequently Meet up with at Brekky Net to establish a better relationship with my clients and meeting with all of their needs, if limited support available, I then seek support from other alternative provider services, I am always recommending to new service provider to engage with our Brekky Net on the South Side for optional support and service.
MY CLOSING OF STORY IS THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY JOURNEY