Uncle Gerald Brown was taught the value of community from a young age.
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“I come from a family of ten – nine brothers and sisters,” he said.
“Our mother and father instilled in us when we were young that Aboriginal community is the most important thing in our life.
“So they do the same type of work that I do – they’re all involved in their community and volunteer work.”
The Aboriginal Elder has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the indigenous community of the Illawarra.
The 72-year-old Barrack Heights resident is commonly known in the community as ‘Uncle Gee’.
He was pleased to receive the honour, because “my thoughts are that we don’t have enough of our Aboriginal Elders, people that do good community work, recognised for the work that they do – volunteer work and things like that”.
Uncle Gerald has been chair of the Illawarra Koori Men's Support Group since 2003.
“I used to work for Australia Post, driving the mail trucks and mail vans.
“I used to do trips all around the suburbs… And I used to see a lot of my young fellas - when I say my young fellas, I mean my people - sitting on the edges of kerbs, into alcohol and drugs and stuff.
“I’d always said that once I retired from work I’m going to set up a men’s group, because there’s nothing in the Illawarra for men to be involved in.
“I retired in 2002, and that’s the first thing I did was went and got involved in the community, and we all got a few men together and we all set up a men’s group. I’ve been involved ever since.”
He is also currently a member of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee at Shellharbour City Council, chair of the Shellharbour Aboriginal Community Youth Association and chair of the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service.
Since 2014, he’s been a board Member of Southern Youth and Family Services, and is a member of the Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council.
Uncle Gerald also received ‘Male Elder of the Year’ at the Illawarra Regional NAIDOC Awards in 2014.
He said he planned to continue advocating for issues such as indigenous health and education as long as he was able to do so.
“My passion is the Aboriginal men’s group,” he said.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
