Because of her...
Indigenous female leaders were highlighted during a NAIDOC Week flag raising ceremony in Drouin yesterday morning. Despite the winter chill, many gathered in Memorial Park to share in the annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements. Baw Baw Shire mayor Joe Gauci led the event and was joined on stage by local Elder Grace Hayes, Merle Rose and Lionel Rose Junior. Cr Gauci, in keeping with the 2018 theme “Because of Her, We Can”, asked the community to stop and see what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women everywhere had achieved and continue to achieve. “Locally, women including Cheryl Drayton, Grace Hayes, Pauline Mullett, Linda Mullett, Kaylene McKinnon, Sherralee Dow, Heather Hood, Belinda Crawford and Lisa Williams are just a handful of the people who are working to support a strong Aboriginal culture,” said Cr Gauci. “I know that the working group that Lionel headed up was powered by many young women and teenagers.” “The fact is, we would not be standing here together today were it not for women,” he added. “Right at this moment, we are experiencing what the theme of NAIDOC means “Because of Her, We Can” or in other words, “Because of Her, We Are.” Cr Gauci also praised past and present day prominent pioneering women like Barangaroo, Truganini, Gladys Elphick, Mum Shirl, Ellie Gaffney, Gladys Tybingoompa, Joyce Clague, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Nova Peris, June Oscar, Pat O’Shane and Linda Burney. “We can all recognise that history has not fairly represented women in politics, business, sport, art, education, community and family,” he said. “Today we are challenging that misrepresentation.” Cr Gauci also urged all people in Baw Baw to stand proudly with the Aboriginal community during NAIDOC Week, which runs through to Sunday. The morning was a real community effort, with a working group working with Baw Baw Shire Council to organise the flag raising ceremony to commence NAIDOC Week celebrations. VACCA, Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation, Kurnai Nations and West Gippsland Healthcare Group were regional partners, whilst Drouin RSL Sub-branch offered support and Drouin Rotary Club served breakfast.