Growing up on the South Coast, Aunty Bev Armer always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Eily Pitman, who was a strong advocate for Aboriginal people in the battle for better housing and education.
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‘‘My mum was a leader and a fighter and I always thought I would follow her...and I hope my grandchildren and great-grandchildren follow too,’’ Aunty Bev said.
On Saturday night, Aunty Bev, who now lives at Primbee, was named the female Aboriginal elder of the year at the region’s NAIDOC Week dinner, hosted by Wollongong City Council.
Aunty Bev was recognised for her key role in many community projects and events, including Hearts and Voices, Wollongong Women’s Songs and Stories, intergenerational storytelling projects and encouraging young children to connect to their culture and Aboriginal heritage.
‘‘Events like NAIDOC and the dinner brings indigenous people closer with non-indigenous people. They show non-indigenous people that we have come a long way and achieved a lot,’’ she said.
On Saturday night, Uncle Vic Chapman, of Woonona, was named male Aboriginal elder of the year for his contribution to education, social justice and youth development as a school teacher and principal, and a leader in including Aboriginal perspectives in education.
In 1975, Uncle Vic became the first Aboriginal school principal in NSW.
The Aboriginal worker of the year was Jodi Edwards, of Flinders, who has worked on cultural and heritage issues, and training and employment through her role as Aboriginal co-ordinator at TAFE NSW and is also chair of the Cross Agency Working Party for government employees.
The female Aboriginal young achiever award went to Taliah King, also of Flinders, who is a student at the Wollongong High School of Performing Arts. Taliah has performed at NAIDOC events, been a lead singer in the Southern Stars and has been chosen to perform at the Yabun.
The award for male Aboriginal young achiever went to Shoalhaven cricket star Lain Beckett, of Bomaderry, an under-21 Shoalhaven representative who has been part of the NSW under-17 squad and also represented NSW in athletics.
Corrimal’s Barry Lenihan, building manager for AbSec and manager of the Illawarra Titans rugby league team took the Aboriginal community representative award, while the Shellharbour Aboriginal Community Youth Association was named organisation of the year.
