Regina Rose

- known as Gina December 26, 1929 to October 4, 2008

Within the Jackson’s Track community, Gina is remembered for fun and laughter and steering the family toward traditional culture and values through sing-a-longs.

Bringing young and old together, playing her guitar, she created a source of great joy for the families as well as ensuring the critical connection to culture.

A naturally quiet woman, Gina married Roy Rose and the family lived happily enough on Jackson’s Track.

The black/white fall out over the Track, in 1961, with the resettlement of families in Drouin and the bulldozing of their huts, left the community broken and heartbroken. Gina continued to keep the door open to everyone, and her gentle, sensitive and loving nature remained central to the new town dwellers.

When her son Lionel fought his way into legendary status as the World Bantamweight Boxing Champion, was awarded the first Aboriginal Australian of the Year, and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1968, his family, especially Gina, was left to reluctantly straddle the associated fame and celebrity, the negative spotlight on their lives, and with hangers-on always wanting something from the families.

Gina’s father, Stuart Hood remained politically connected to the fight for land rights and, in 1971 when Lake Tyers and Framlingham were handed back to Aboriginal people, Gina and her sister Euphemia both took notice, hoping education would allow their children to claim their own rights in the future.

Later in life Gina quietly commented on her wonderful memories of the Track and was still urging recognition through Native Title for her grandchildren.