Synopsis

Stories of our country by our Elders. Elders to be interviewed on country and reminisce, whether about a dreamtime story or a birthing place area, or a memory of the old homestead and/or mission, this is about our elders sharing their memories and country.

Aboriginal directors are marked with an asterisk (*).

Episode guide

Barb's World

Barbara Crismani is the daughter of Joseph Leslie Murray (1900-1975) who was boxing champ of SA in 1926 known as The Black Panther in the ring. Barbara has initiated searches for her father’s home country and community with the help of SA Link Up but given the lack of written records and child removal policies of those times, it is possible Barbara may never experience the profound home country cultural and familial embrace and resultant closure. The deep cross generation cultural and emotional wounds of the government mandated stolen generation child removal may never be healed.

Director: Edoardo Crismani*

Arthur Williams

Bundjalung elder Arthur Williams is one of the few members of the community that still speak language, he will sing and talk about his life through his words.

Director: unknown

Ollie George

Respected elder Ollie George tells his story about growing up on Kirkalocka and Wydgee Stations with his Nanna and Popa speaking Badimaya language, and learning about his traditional Badimaya culture.

Director: unknown

Stewart Hoosan

Elder Stewart Hoosan reveals the importance of keeping lands healthy and alive through his paintings and unique storytelling from Karrwa country.

Director: Jason De Santolo*

Paul Gordon

The sacred and ancient stories of Ngemba Lore and country told around an isolated camp fire. Tradition custodian Uncle Paul Gordon, shares his knowledge of country, history, culture and spirituality.

Director: unknown

Ross Boddington

Ross is one of the last known respected Wajarri Elder, Songman. He will talk about his language, significant sites and culture in his beloved country, Wajarri.

Director: unknown

Norma Brierley

Derby in a time when men dominated the political and social scene of this town, we find that a group of women made up of sisters bucked the trend to form an all-female cricket team.

Director: Mitch (Michelle) Torres*

John Graham

Johnny is a singer songwriter and a poet and writes music and poems that tells stories of his struggles, his country and the way of life.

Director: unknown

Aunty Valda Coolwell

Aunty Valda Coolwell is one of Brisbane’s most respected and well-known Aboriginal elders. She was one of the first elders to give an official acknowledgement of country after the Mabo decision passed – it gives her an opportunity to break down the unfair.

Director: Dean Gibson*

Johnny Huckle

Johnnny Huckle, a Wiradjuri man was raised on an Aboriginal reserve 2kms from Condobolin on the Murie. He began busking at the tender age of four, singing around the campfire for his uncle Ronald Sloane he was also encouraged to sing at Sunday school by a cousin Colleen Faye Sloane. He was involved in an accident with a horse and cart at the age of ten and lived a childhood of torment while attending school.

Director: unknown

Yerrubilgin Magpie

Magpie steps up to welcome the North Coast Bluesfest crowd to Country. The chatter of more than ten thousand people falls away Painted up in traditional way, he takes the mic and uses the opportunity to rev the festival goers up. “Jingi walla! How you’se goin’? You’se all ready for something special?” The clapsticks ring out and the crowd roars as the dancers run onto the stage.

Director: Dale Simone Roberts

Max Harrison

NSW South Coast Yuin Elder Uncle Max Dulumunmum Harrison an initiated man is the knowledge holder and teaches the guides at Ngaran Ngaran. His mob have undertaken his teachings that have been passed down to him by 5 masters of Aboriginal Lore.

Director: Paula Maling*

Bishop Arthur Malcolm

Arthur Malcolm (born 1934) was the first Aboriginal Bishop in the Anglican Church of Australia. Born in Yarrabah, Queensland and ordained a priest in 1978, Malcolm was consecrated in 1985 and served as bishop to the Aborigine peoples of Northern Queensland until his retirement in 2000.

Director: Benjamin Southwell*

Euphemia Bostock

Euphemia Bostock is a proud Munanjali-Bundjalung Woman and Elder. Affectionately known as 'Phemie', she has shared her artistic journey with us in the landscape of the Australian Art Scene. Phemie has worked across many mediums including textile, printmaking, design and sculpture from the early 1960's.

Director: Ella Bancroft*

Agnes Abbott

Agnes Abbott is an Eastern Arrernte elder from Central Australia who reflects on some of her remarkable experiences growing up and running away and her battle to keep her culture and community safe.

Directors: Lisa Albert, Agnes Abbott

Frank Young: Return to Watarru

Anangu Traditional Owner Frank Young was born and grew up in the beautiful surrounds of Watarru, in the APY Lands of north-west South Australia. Watarru is one of the most remote areas of Australia.

Director: Daniel Clarke

Allan Wilson

Uncle Alan Wilson is a respected Kokatha and Wirangu Elder living in Port Lincoln, takes us through the community and educates us of the horrific Aboriginal massacre in Elliston that occurred in 1849.

Director: unknown

Rose Richards

Aunty Rose Richards was celebrated as the 2013 Naidoc Female Elder of the Year. At 83 years old, Rose, a Yalangi and Tagalaga Elder from Far North Queensland has dedicated her life to improving the health and well-being of babies, young children and mothers.

Director: Douglas Watkin*

Tony Hunter

Tony Hunter is a community leader with an amazing story about survival, struggle and hope for our people with shattered spirits.

Director: Isaac Parsons