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Link-Up (Qld) ABORIGINAL CORPORATIONLink-UpNEWSLETTER

Volume 7 June 2013 - July 2013

(Qld) ABORIGINAL CORPORATION ®

Still Bringing Them Home

Link-Up (Qld) ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

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BLESSINGS FROM COUNTRYby Aunty Ruby Sims

Acknowledging the Yugambeh and Mulinjali people

Looking after children stillBut I am growing oldGot to keep on trying

To hold them in the fold

Bones are getting tiredEyes are growing dim

And my belly wobbles when I laughI am no longer trim

Looking after children stillBut I am growing oldGot to keep on trying

To hold them in the fold

I stand once more in “Country”She keeps me going strongJust to have Her hold meAnd sing to me Her song

I’ll use Her winds to carry meHer rain to smooth my way

Her air to fill my every breathTo get me through this day

Looking after children stillWe may be growing old

But “Country” keeps us in Her heartWith these stories that we’ve told

Aunty Ruby Sims dedicates her poem to all the beautiful Elders at the 2013 Kindilan’s Healing Camp

FRONT COVER: Mount Isa Kalkadoon Traditional Owner, Clive Sam at Mt Isa Link-Up(Qld) launch

In This Issue:

� Poem by Ruby Sims

� Message From The CEO

� From The Board

� Closing the Gap on Family Links

� Sorry Day Commemoration

� Cunnamulla Trip

� A Promise Is Kept

� Link Up Mt Isa

� Poem by Beverly Powers

� Charleville Reunion

� Rockhampton Reunion

� Journey To Find My Ancestors

� Music & Art Therapy photos

� Staff Movements

� Upcoming Events

� Laura Festival

� Link-Up(Qld) membership form


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Message From The CEOWe’ve had a very busy past few months here at Link-Up (Qld).

Last month we conducted our annual healing camp at Kindilan’s Reserve in Redland Bay. Our healing camps are designed around our clients’ social, emotional and spiritual needs and we offered pampering and relaxation therapies through massage, hairdressing, Yarning Circles, basket weaving, jewellery making, artwork creation and song.

We also celebrated Sorry Day in May with a free BBQ Breakfast Commemoration at the Sorry Day plaque site in Orleigh Park, West End. Around 80 people turned up for the annual event held under clear blue skies on the banks of the Brisbane River. We would like to thank Micah Projects, MurriWatch and Gallang Place for their contributions to the successful day.

The official opening was held for our latest remote office, in Mount Isa. Our two counsellors there, Victoria Joubert and Rowena Rankine have hit the ground running promoting Link-Up (Qld) services to the north-west areas of Queensland.

Personally, with Brisbane Caseworker Margaret North, we undertook a promotional tour to the Cunnamulla region visiting the townships of Goondiwindi, Warwick, Boggabilla, St George and Dalby. We were successful in securing Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health and Dalby Goondir Health service.

I also recently went to Cairns to discuss MOU’s with the Royal Flying Doctors’ Service and Apunipima. We signed an MOU with Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd. Whilst in the north, I had the great pleasure of representing Link-Up (Qld) at the ‘Laura Festival’ held from the 21st June to the 23rd June. It’s also been an active time of the staffing front. We welcomed Aunty Virginia Mayo, a well respected Kalkadoon woman from the Mt Isa region as our latest Board member and Lauren Scheiwe, who was successful in securing a fulltime position in the Research Team.

Sadly, we had to farewell our Service Delivery Director, Shirley Watters, who has moved on to a Queensland Government position. We thank her for the contribution she made during her time with Link-Up (Qld) and wish her all the best for the future. Troy Combo has stepped into the Service Delivery Director position, and will act in the role until the position is advertised sometime in the future.

We look forward to seeing you at the Musgrave Park Family Fun Day being held on Friday 12 July in South Brisbane. Make sure to stop by for a chat and a cuppa as Link-Up (Qld) will be there on the day!

Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for HealthWuchopperen Health Service Limited


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From the Board History of NAIDOC

On Australia Day, 1938, Aboriginal rights groups marched through the streets of Sydney, followed by a congress attended by over a thousand people. One of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world, it was known as the Day of Mourning.

In 1939 William Cooper wrote to the National Missionary Council of Australia to seek their assistance in supporting and promoting an annual event. From 1940 until 1955, the Day of Mourning was held annually on the Sunday before Australia Day and was known as Aborigines Day. In 1955 Aborigines Day was shifted to the first Sunday in July as a celebration of Aboriginal culture. Major Aboriginal organisations, state and federal governments, and a number of church groups all supported the formation of, the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC). At the same time, the second Sunday in July became a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage.

In 1974, it was decided that the event should cover a week, from the first to second Sunday in July. Later NADOC was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture. The committee then became known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC). This new name has become the title for the whole week, not just the day. Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the important issues and events for NAIDOC Week.

Extracted from http://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-history/

There are NAIDOC events happening all over Australia, get along to them, you never know who you might meet.

Link-Up (Qld) is actively involved with the Koobara Kindergarten NAIDOC, Ipswich NAIDOC and Musgrave Park NAIDOC Celebrations. Our regional offices will also be in attendance at local celebrations in Cairns, Mareeba, Mt Isa and Palm Island.

New Link-Up (Qld) Board Director

The Link-Up (Qld) Board of Directors welcomes Kalkadoon Traditional Owner and Elder, Virginia Mayo to the Board. Virginia has connections to Mt Isa and the Gulf regions.

Previously Virginia held the position of BTH Counsellor delivering social, emotional and wellbeing services to the area and worked extensively with Link-Up (Qld) providing assistance to Stolen Generations members reconnecting to their families. She provided this service for three years at Yappaytarra Medical Centre and continued delivering services and training through Kalkadoon Sobriety House.

Kalkadoon Traditional OwnerVirginia Mayo

William Cooper


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During National Sorry Week, more than 60 people attended the official launch of Link-Up (Qld)’s Mount Isa office.

The launch took place with a Traditional Kalkadoon endorsement. This included the Didjeridu and Smoking Ceremony by Traditional Owner Clive Sam, the “Welcome to Country” conducted by Traditional Owner Noelene Dempsey and a talk on Transgenerational Trauma by Traditional Owner, Virginia Mayo.

Uncle Clive Sam’s smoking ceremony was a particular highlight as he not only smoked the new office, but also all present Link-Up (Qld) staff and Board of Directors members.

Local Mount Isa radio station, MOB FM, also attended playing songs that included “Took The Children Away” by Archie Roach, “Brown Skin Baby” by Bob Randal and Link-Up (Qld)’s adopted anthem “Great Moments” by Les Collins.

Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady attended and expressed his hope that Link-Up (Qld)’s move to Mount Isa would be a positive step for the Local Community.

Closing The Gap On Family Links

Smoking Ceremony with Kaladoon T.O. Clive Sam

Kaladoon T.O. and Elder Noelene DempseyKalkadoon Community Pty Ltd

MOB FM 100.9

Guests at the Mt Isa Link-Up(Qld) launch


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Sorry Day Commemoration BreakfastThe old concrete stairway is all that remains of the Cranbrook Aboriginal Girls’ Home. In the late 19th century the Aboriginal girls home was established at Cranbrook at what is now Orleigh Park on the banks of the Brisbane River. It was closed in 1906 after continuous complaints from inmates and public concerns about the living conditions and the treatment of the girls. Girls that were taken from their families were treated the same as orphans and runaways and experienced incredibly awful and harsh conditions, and severe discipline.

Link-Up (Qld) along with support from Micah Projects, Murri Watch and Gallang Place hosted their annual Sorry Day Breakfast at the Sorry Day plaque site in Orleigh Park, West End, Brisbane where once stood the Cranbrook Aboriginal Girls’ Home.

Around 80 people turned up to commemorate Reconciliation Week including local councillors Cr. Helen Abrahams and Cr. Jackie Trad.

After the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, the crowd heard from Link-Up (Qld) CEO, Sheryl Sandy followed by Les Collins performing his Apology anthem, “Great Moments”.

Cr. Helen Abrahams, a long time supporter of Link-Up (Qld) addressed the audience speaking of the importance of Sorry Week and Reconciliation.

Micah Projects’ Community Engagement Worker, Gayle Carr and her band of volunteers assisted Link-Up (Qld) staff in the food preparation and cooking of the BBQ breakfast, “....we really love being actively involved in commemorating this important event in our history” she stated.

The gathering were then entertained by the Songlines and Meeanjin Voices choirs as well as a song written and performed by young St Mary MacKillop schoolgirl, Emily Foster accompanied by her teacher, Mary MacGregor on clap sticks. Les Collins and Jay Kleinschmidt finished off the entertainment with a few well known songs including a song written at the Kindilan’s Healing Camp before MC Willie Prince closed the official proceedings and invited everyone to feast on the breakfast fare.

The whole day was beautiful with even the weather being particularly fine and sunny. People were still engaging in conversations and storytelling when it came time to pack up.

“I just wanted to congratulate you on your organisation of the Sorry Day event this year. It is always a wonderful day but I just thought this year in particular it all went off like a well-oiled machine. Can you please extend our thanks and congratulations to the other members of staff,” expressed Gayle Carr after the event.

We would like to extend our thanks for the support and commitment from Micah Projects, MurriWatch, Gallang Place and Link-Up (Qld) staff in running such a successful event.

Girl on the steps of Cranbrook Aboriginal Girls Home


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Sorry Day Plaques, Orleigh Park

Meeanjin Voices Choir

Aunties Beverly Powers & Margaret Lawton with Emily Foster

Steps to Cranbrook House

Aunty Rhonda Collard

Songlines ChoirGayle Carr, Sheryl Sandy, Cr Helen Abrahams & Les

Collins with a guest at the Sorry Day Breakfast

Emily Foster

Les Collins

Aunties Estelle Sandow and Margaret Stanley


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Cunnamulla TripLink-Up (Qld) CEO Sheryl Sandy along with Caseworker Margaret North and Link-Up (Qld) client Jack Munro headed west of Brisbane to visit and promote Link Up services to Indigenous Health centres in the Cunnamulla area.

Their week long journey took them to meet with Kaylene Wallace of the Warwick Health Service, Glenda Duncan of Goodiwindi Health Service, Kerry Crumblin CEO, Roslyn Thomas Line Manager and SEWB Counsellor Allen Wharton of Cunnamulla

Primary Health Care Centre, Susan Klein at Goondir Health Service, St George and Shelley Reynolds, Clinic Manager of Goondir Health Service, Dalby.

Community visits were also made along the way to the “Oaks” Aged Care Home, Warwick where a potential new client was registered and referred to us by Kaylene Wallace; across the border to Boggabilla; Cunnamulla Shire and Cunnamulla Cemetery; Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health; the Community Allied Health Building in St George and Community Health in Dalby.

In Cunnamulla Margaret met face to face with one of her clients to discuss her case and Jack Munro visited his father whom he had only met last year thanks to Link-Up (Qld). Jack’s father is also one of Margaret’s clients.

Resources to promote Link-Up (Qld) and its services were delivered to visited organisations along with discussions of forming a “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Dalby Goondir Health and Cunnamulla Primary Health Care Centre with Link-Up (Qld). The promotional products included Link-Up (Qld) publications “Respectful Designs”, “The Stolen Generations Education” book and our newsletters.

The trip was very successful through engaging west Queensland organisations by promoting and advertising Link Up services in these centralised Indigenous community enterprises.

Link-Up(Qld) crew with Dalby Goondir Health Service staff

Sheryl Sandy, Jack Munro and Margaret North


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Dalby Goondir Health Service

Visiting the Oaks Aged Care Home, Warwick

Glenda Duncan, Goondiwindi Health Centre

MacIntyre River

Balonne Highway to Cunnamulla

Road sign at St George

St George


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A Promise Is Kept, Thanks To Link Up by Sharon Brady

Our mother Aileen Brady nee Willis spoke of a place where rivers flow, winding through a sunburnt land. Where the Emu gathers their chicks and roam the desert plains. The Crow along with many other birdlife takes flight and soar into the heavens, with pillows of white clouds dot-ting the sky vibrant in colours of blue, purple, pink and orange. With sheer grace Brolgas dance like ballerinas, with the mountains ranges as their backdrop.

This is the country of the Kullili people. The homeland of our Great Grandparents Harry and Rose Willis/Williboughy and our Grandfather Herny Willis/Williboughy, our mother Aileen and her Brothers and Sister Mona, Henry jnr and Percy.

We travelled from Cairns, Far North Queensland to Brisbane with Link-Up (Qld) workers Cathy and Jasmine. The hour wait in Brisbane drew our minds back in time and how we as a family survived the racial

backlash of a redneck society. The Indigenous community was unified and strong memories came flooding back. This began our journey to a promise we made to Mum, to see her father’s country the outback of South West Queensland.

We boarded the plan to Charleville, 1,000klms west of Brisbane. At Charleville we loaded our gear into two 4WD’s and made our way to Cunnamulla. Here we meet Allen Wharton, a Bringing Them Home Counsellor.

We set off on the road again along the Western track, heading to the township of Thargomindah. Stopping at various significant sites, Allen told us stories of traditional and historical events.

One stop that meant so much to us was at the border and entrance to Kullili country. Marked by the white and red mountains, we peered into a timeless beauty of ancient memories imprinted in the land. This captured our souls and we felt a sense of belonging. We reached Thargomindah around lunch time.

Mum spoke of three special places, Thargomindah, Nuckatundah and Nunccundrah. We arrived at Nunccudrah Homestead late in the afternoon.

Fighting fatigue, we settled in our rooms, met the homestead manager and ordered our dinners. Eating in the homestead dining room, an eerie ghostly, colonial past appeared through old photos hanging on the wall and the historic structure, filled us with mixed emotions.

The homestead was built in the 1800’s, this could have very well been the place where negotiations and arrangements took place for the dispersal of Kullili families, including our Great Grandparents and Grandfather.

Aileen Brady

Link-Up (Qld) staff with the Brady Family


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Allen Wharton

The next day we headed to Nucktangah Station. This station covers two million hectors and Kullili burial grounds are located there. Also many Kullili people worked on this station, Mum’s uncle, Grandfather Fred Dawson was one of the many who worked there. The Wilson River which runs through the property was where we had lunch and fished. The day ended fishing at the Copper River.

The third day we drove back to Thargomindah. Allen set up a visit with an elderly woman and to our surprise it was Aunty Olive Murphy and her daughter Lorraine. Aunty told us stories of the land and bush medicines that was and still utilized on country. We reminisced on the days in Brisbane so many years ago. It was sad to say good-bye to Aunty Olive and Lorraine.

While in Thargomindah we went to a massacre site, standing there contemplating why such atrocities happened and shedding a tear, we proved that Kullili people, like so many Indigenous bloodline can never be dissolved nor diminished. We are still here and doing well.

This journey built us up and enlightens us more too family ties and country. Desert plains, rocky mountain ranges, winding rivers, breathtaking sunsets and historic ventures such as the epic story of Burke and Willis and not forgetting the ancient storyline of the traditional custodians, the Kullili people who were taken away and put on reserves. Colonialism could not break their spirits, they knew their bloodline had to survive and it did. The children of Aileen Brady nee Willis came back.

Mum was born in exile on the Aboriginal reserve call Barambah now known as Cherbourg Qld. She died 7 years ago, we kept our promise to her, to see and feel her father’s homeland. She came on the journey with us.

Many thanks to the diligent work of Cairns Link-Up (Qld) workers Jasmine and Cathy, Allen Wharton for his shared knowledge and good company and to Link-Up (Qld). Thank You all for fulfilling that promise to our mother and taking us back to country. From the Brady family.

Sharon Brady William BradyThe Brady Family

The ‘red and white’ mountains bordering Kullili Country


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On the 27th May we went to the Spinifex Junior Campus Sorry Day Parade. Spinifex Junior is a state school for grade 8-10’s. There is also a senior campus. At the parade we spoke about what Sorry Day and Reconciliation meant and Aunty Joan Marshall cut a giant cake to celebrate the day. Later that morning we went to Central State School. Aunty Virginia Mayo did the Welcome to Country. She is a Kalkadoon Elder and grew up around this area with her grandmother, moving around a lot to avoid the police because her and her siblings are all light skinned.

She interacted with the children and asked them to think about what they loved about their families and to imagine if they were taken away so as to make them think, what it would be like to be a member of the Stolen Generations. We then spoke to Grade 4 students about the Stolen Generations and gave them a chance to ask questions.

We tried to answer the children in the most honest yet un-blaming way we could, we were there to educate not cause anger and resentment. The focus on our talk was how we need to acknowledge and move forward together.

At Barkley State school, Aunty Virginia Mayo did a Welcome to Country and spoke about the “importance of Indigenous culture, the recognition of historical events and the positivity of heading into the future”. Five indigenous students read tributes to key Indigenous people including Eddie Mabo, Neville Bonner, Cathy Freeman and Aunty Joan Marshall who works as a teacher’s aide at Central State School and is loved and respected by all who know her.

Young teenager Elijah Douglas from Doomadgee played his didgeridoo and talked about his recent trip to Europe and the importance of remembrance and recognition. We discussed the origins and significance of Sorry Day and Stolen Generations the Grade 4 pupils.

On Friday the 7th of June we shared this information with the Grade 10 class at Good Shepherd Catholic College about Stolen Generations and Reconciliation. The Grade 10 students are studying this topic in their History classes and Aunty Virginia made a timeline of her story to help the children understand.

Link-Up (Qld) Mount Isa by Victoria Joubert

Elijah Douglas with his Didgeeridoo

Mt Isa Link-Up (Qld) staff with Barkley High School students


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HEALING CAMP 2013 by Aunty Beverly Powers

Linking brothers and sisters everywhereShowing each other how we careBlack, brown and pale dark too

If only our ancestors knewHow much pain is here todayPain that just won’t go away

Only love and forgiveness will help usFinding our true identity will heal

Show each other how much we careAs all our stories and journeys we share

Nothing can change the pastOnly not repeating it will make it last

On journeys across this great land and desertMountains and lakes

True forgiveness is what it takesSharing and talking to, healing us now

In what we doAllowing our stories to be told

Make us proud and boldAs on our great land the wounds do heal

Making sense to what is realIt all comes down to love It said

Only then can we put the past to bed

Creative Artwork from Dr. Norm Sheehan’s Art Therapy Program at Kindilan’s Healing Camp 2013

We would like to extend our apologies to Kanat Wano of “FULLBLACK Pitzaa” for wrongly naming his contribution of photographs from the Indigenous Allstars game on Page 19 of our previous edition of the

Link-Up (Qld) Newsletter, Volume 6. Our sincere apologies for this oversight.

Correction & Apologies

Aunty Bev Powers


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Charleville Reunion by Joseph Oui

Recently I was privileged to be part of a reunion of Uncle Len to his mother’s birthplace with Caseworker Jody Jackson. His son Joshua accompanied us as Uncle’s support person. We travelled to Charleville to meet with Traditional Owner Darren Lawton who was going to guide Uncle Len to sites that were very significant to Uncle Len and the rest of us. These sites had been places where different tribes and clans had lived on the outskirts of Charleville, and known in many Indigenous communities as ‘YUMBA’.

On arrival we settled in at the Matilda Motel and that evening took Uncle Len out to dinner. We were prompted many times on the plane by a local that they had the best ‘STEAK’ and were massive. The meals at the local hangout lived up to their expectations and prepared us for the day ahead of us.

The next morning Uncle Len, Joshua and I headed for breakfast as we were anticipating meeting with Darren and introducing him to Uncle Len to get acquainted. Darren met us back at the motel and we made our acquaintainces.

Darren was warm, welcoming and very comfortable. Uncle Len was grateful of him spending and taking time to meet up with us. Darren shared his knowledge and experience of the community and was willing to give Uncle Len as much information as he could. He said he would take us to the sites where the ‘Yumba’ had been and various other sites of significance that related to Uncle Len’s family history.

Uncle Len and Joshua accompanied Darren, acknowledging having someone like him to communicate the understanding of the community dynamics and protocols. Jody and I followed in our vehicle. The ‘YUMBA’ had a closed off gate and was fenced off. We parked and were led in on foot by Darren into the ‘YUMBA’. In recognition, I felt privileged to be in this space, acknowledging past and present.

Len Utz and his son Joshua

Meeting Traditional Owner, Darren Lawton

At the ‘YUMBA’ we saw many remnants and evidence of the past where many tribes and clans had lived in the early 1900’s. Darren provided a brief demographic of the ‘YUMBA’ site and informed us about and directed Uncle Len to certain structures that sadly had been destroyed by the local council.

This visit to the ‘YUMBA’ was greatly appreciated by Uncle Len. To travel to this place where his mother

Darren discusses the rgion’s history with Len Utz and his son, Joshua


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was born was overwhelming and being emotionally connected to his mother’s birthplace through this traditional owner. Uncle Len spent quality time reflecting on his journey and his gratitude towards Darren was evidence enough that this journey would be acknowledged by his next generation.

Throughout the rest of the day we continued visiting different sites and then spent the afternoon fishing. Darren told us stories and his wide range of knowledge and experience was welcomed by us all. Uncle Len and Joshua’s journey was realized and they were very pleased and grateful for Link-Up (Qld)’s participation in bringing them to Charleville and to Uncle Len’s mother’s birthplace.

The next day we drove to the nearby town of Augathella. On the journey our tour guide Darren was ever vigilant for an echidna and spoke freely of its delicate taste. We shared moments and took many photos of the native wildlife.

Uncle Len’s journey to Charleville was an overwhelming experience for him and to have met Darren who shared his knowledge in connecting his family links. Later that evening we reflected on Uncle Len’s visit as we waited to board our plane back to Brisbane. Uncle Len was very grateful of Link-Up (Qld) staff and everyone that had participated in making this experience everlasting and heartfelt.

Len Utz taking a moment alone reflecting on visiting his Mother’s country

Darren showing Len a found artefact at the Yumba site

Len Utz and his son Joshua at a lean-to in Augathella

Joseph, Joshua, Len and DarrenLen Utz happy to be on his Mother’s country


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Rockhampton Reunion by Aunty Ruth Hegarty

Link-Up (Qld)’s help in the closure of my journey to locate my Father has made a difference to my life and onward journey. I approached Link-Up (Qld) on the 22/06/2011 with the notion that somehow I would find closure to a journey that began when I was 56 years of age.

I had spent the latter years of my life as a dormitory girl; I was removed from my Mother Ruby Duncan’s care at four and a half years of age. With much of my Mother’s life spent away working on various properties, we had not had the pleasure of a Mother-Daughter relationship.

However, my marriage to Joe Hegarty (Jnr) our life on Cherbourg and six children later, we moved to Brisbane for a better life for our children. Mother became a regular visitor and it was then I

found out I had a Father and that I should find him. With some difficulty, I did locate him living in Toowoomba, our connection was a strange one and I learnt a few things about him and met his wife and adult children.

In our private conversations, he talked of his Mother, not much about his Father, who was John Saunders and his Mothers second marriage. He mentioned the Baker’s who was his Mother’s family. The last mention of her was that she was living in Moore Qld with her second husband. My late Husband and I knew the town of Moore very well. I wanted to hear more from Frank, but, unfortunately he had passed on. My search began when I contacted Community & Personal History and through the records held of my family the Duncan’s, I learnt a lot more than I had bargained for.

My birth was recorded and Frank Saunders, was my Father. I was born in Mitchell at a Private Hospital. I learnt of my Grandparents and their voluntary move to Barambah with my Mother and me at six and a half months old. I was told a lot about our journey and Frank’s family at the same time was making enquiries in regards to their family the Jacksons. We got together and from certain reports I received from the Department, they discovered our Father was not white, he was part Aboriginal.

Nancy and I began searching, and the ‘The William Baker Register’ came into our hands. Boldly I emailed the Author and Researcher, Lorrae Johnson, informing her I was a Descendant of the Baker Clan. This then became my journey.

When Communities & Personal History came to the end of their search, I approached “Link-Up (Qld)”. I handed over to my Caseworker Karen Collins everything I had discovered. Karen was sure we could work towards a Reunion. In the meantime Nancy, Ray and Mal my half siblings met with me and we were determined to do more to help.

Arriving in Rockhampton

Aunty Ruth Hegarty & her sister Nancy Parker


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I began receiving emails and visits from the Baker family who until my contact with them, had only surmised that they had Aboriginal blood. I was given the ‘Bakers Family Tree’ and there we were, well that is my Grandmother, her children and our Father, the baby of the family, named after his Father, Francis James Saunders.

We discovered I was a Descendant of Arthur Charles Baker, who was a Descendant of John Thomas Baker & Jane Louise Ware, both convicts arriving in the colony of New South Wales in 1790 on the ship Neptune. John Thomas Baker, a convict sent to the Colony at 13 years of age sentenced to 7 years, stole 2 silver spoons and sold them to a silver smith. Of course after his court case he came to Australia (first reading the account of his journey was a horrific 2 years on the high seas). Four hundred and ninety-nine prisoners kept below deck of the Neptune, a third of them died of dysentery etc). William Baker was one of the lucky ones.

At 22 years he married Jane Louise Ware and settled in N.S.W. Of all their children Arthur Charles came to QLD and picked up with a part Aborigine woman and of their many children, Charlotte was my Father’s Mother, my Grandmother. The question of the bloodline, being part Aborigine has been accepted by all of Charlotte’s children.

Arthur Charles (my Grandfather) was in a marital relationship with a Sarah White aka Collins/White. It was thought she was Aborigine, she and Arthur Charles had 9 or 10 children. I purchased the large volume “William Baker” Register and sent an email to the Researcher claiming my rights to be included among the Descendants. I made note of the fact that I was an Aboriginal and daughter of Frank Saunders. It wasn’t long before I was contacted by Arthur Charles and Sarah Baker Descendants. At last they began to talk openly about their Aboriginal blood, the phrase “we know we had Aboriginal blood” was now an open conversation.

The plans for the Reunion began on Tuesday 04/06/2013. Nancy and I arrived at Brisbane Airport to meet up with Link-Up (Qld) staff Karen Collins (Caseworker) and Ruth Link (Counsellor) for a flight to Rocky. Marcia Hamilton was our first link with the Baker family. I had waited a long time for this meeting. At Yeppoon we met with Marcia and Morgan, I had the distinct feeling we were meeting with long lost cousins. We talked for hours sharing information back and forth, with the hope arrangements can be made for a larger family Reunion in October next year.

We arrived back in Brisbane after a pleasant 3 days. The Link-Up (Qld) staff Karen & Ruth were such an important part of this meeting, recording all that happened in conversation, taking photo’s and basically giving support to this very first meeting. Their professional uptake on the whole of this journey is to be commended.

Aunty Ruth Hegarty & sister Nancy with Link-Up staff

Meeting with Marcia and Morgan


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My Journey to find my Aboriginal Ancestors by Marcia Hamilton

My journey to find any Aboriginal Ancestors started many years ago while starting my Family History along with my mother who sadly didn’t get to travel the journey with me.

I had some information from Mum regarding my Great Grandmother that Mum had received from cousins, uncles etc but very little knowledge as sadly having an Aboriginal connection was not discussed within the family.

After finding photos of my Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother it was evident there was an Aboriginal line so after much perservance and research I contacted a fellow researcher and was informed that we indeed had that connection.

After further research I was told of Aunty Ruth and couldn’t wait to meet her. My heartful thanks goes to Karen Collins who arranged for Aunty Ruth and her sister Nancy to meet with me.

Today, we know more now than when we first started. I grew up knowing my Mother’s family the Duncan’s from the ‘Yumba’ at Mitchell and now I know my father’s family, the ‘Bakers’. We have talked about a Reunion next year in October and that’s something we are working on to make it happen.

I am now 84 years of age and although I had actually given up hope of ever having a Father, I discovered that through research and the help of both Link-Up (Qld) and Communities & Personal Histories, I was coming to a closure of my journey. I had married at 22 years of age and my late husband and I had 7 children with on adoption. I have now 22 Grandchildren, Great Grans and Great Great Grans.

Reflecting in Rockhampton

Meeting cousins Marcia and Morgan

Marcia Hamilton

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!

We met in Rockhampton and then travelled to my home and along with my cousin’s daughter Morgan had the priviledge of giving Aunty Ruth and Nancy all the information, photo’s and stories of our family in turn discovered another side of the family we had little knowledge of. During our very happy and sad time together learning of Aunty’s life it was agreed there was a need for a reunion of our families and lost cousins to take place and hopefully this will happen in October 2014.

Again my thanks to Karen and Ruth from Link-Up (Qld) for making a dream come true.


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Les Collins with Aunty Lauren Jarrett constructing her song

Kindilan’s Camp nurse Julie painting

Jay Kleinschmidt on keyboards

Les Collins conducting song writing workshops

Art Therapy workshop at Kindilan’s Healing Camp 2013Dr Norm Sheehan demonstrating art techniques

Music & Art Therapies


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Service Delivery Director, Shirley Watters has left us to take up a position with Queensland Health. She will be sadly missed and we wish her all the best for the future.

Staff Movement

Troy Combo who has stepped into the vacated position is a descendant from the Bundjalung people of the Northern Rivers Region of NSW. He has a Diploma in Aboriginal Health from Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service. More recently employed at the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) he was also on the Board of Directors for Gallang Place Aboriginal Counselling services. Troy is very excited to be employed as the State Service Delivery Director for Link-Up (Qld) and is very passionate about the work Link-Up does in healing our communities.

We would also like to welcome back Lauren Scheiwe who has taken up the position of Researcher. Lauren has been connected with Link-Up (Qld) since 2010 when she became a volunteer on a student placement program whist doing her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and Anthropology. After graduating, she continued to volunteer at Link-Up (Qld) in various ways until taking up a Research Officer position in May of this year. She has been blessed by all of the experiences she had gained during her time at Link-Up (Qld) and feels humbled to be given the opportunity to play a role in assisting our clients to reconnect with their family, country and communities.

Welcome Clients25 July

29 August

26 September

31 October

21 November

VENUE:Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation 5 Reid Street Woolloongabba Q

CONTACT: Tel: (07) 3034 8444 or FREECALL: 1800 200 855

Email: [email protected]

Z 7 July 2013 NAIDOC Week

Z 12 July 2013 NAIDOC Celebrations at Musgrave Park

Z 16 September 2013 Annual General Meeting at LUQ Brisbane office

Z 29 November 2013 50 Year Anniversary of Mapoon

Upcoming Events

Support Group Morning Tea STOLEN GENERATIONS CLIENTS

Troy Combo

Lauren Scheiwe


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Laura Festival by Troy Combo

Staff from Link-Up (Qld)’s Cairns, Brisbane and Townsville offices attended this year’s Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival in Far North Queensland to build on the work and the relationships we have developed in the Far North. We were very lucky to have Aunty Robyn Hooley from Mulungu AMS in Mareeba come along with us for the journey. The festival is run every two years and has approximately 5000 people attend from not only Australia but overseas as well.

For me it was a proud and emotional moment seeing the passing of Culture from the Elders to our young ones in our communities. The respect each dance troupe showed for the local Aboriginal community was something to experience and made me so proud to be an Aboriginal man. For the final part of each dance the dances showed their respect to the local Elders by dancing and paying praise to them. It was quite a sight. It really was a great testament to the resilience of our people and communities.

For me personally, it was a very special experience spiritually and I am very appreciative to have been able to represent Link-Up (Qld) at such a prestigious and significant cultural event on the Aboriginal calendar.

Mayi Wumba Dancers, Kuranda, acknowledging the Elders

Troy Combo with the Pormpurraw Dancers New Mapoon Dancer


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Become a Link-Up (Qld) MemberIt is being involved with an organisation that provides a culturally appropriate and sensitive

service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It also presents a voice for our people in major forums relating to issues and concerns of our clients and community in general such as

NAIDOC, National Sorry Day & Reconciliation and other significant issues and concerns.

The benefits of membership include the ability to utilise your own skills, talents and expertise as a volunteer, receive updates and bi-monthly newsletters, voting at general elections, being a part

of the solution in terms of righting the wrongs and having your say in the way Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation operates.

(Fill out the form on the following page and send it back to us)

Want to make a Donation to Link-Up (Qld)?

“All donations, great and small, make a difference in supporting our organisation to continue the work we do with members of the Stolen Generations still searching for their family. We trully appreciate your generosity.”

- Sheryl Sandy CEO Link-Up (Qld)

If you are interested in supporting Link-Up (Qld), all donations are tax deductible and can be made to:

Account Name: Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation ABN: 36 073 956 496Banking Institution: WestpacBSB: 034 013 Account Number: 277 709

Please send all cheques to PO Box 3229, South Brisbane Queensland 4101

For more information, please call our office on FREECALL 1800 200 855


23Membership.docx S:/Common/LUQ Key Documents/Link-Up Membership Application Form

Membership Application

Full Name Of Applicant: ………………………………………………………………

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………….

Suburb:…………………………………………………………Postcode:…………….

Telephones: (H)……………………(W)…………………….Mob…………………….

Date Of Birth: ………………………Email: …………………………………………

Would you be available to assist Link-Up on a voluntary basis? YES NO

What skills can you bring to the Organisation? ..………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Please state the reason why you would like to become a member of Link-Up (Qld):

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Is Proof of Aboriginality document enclosed as required? YES NOIf NO, please contact your local Aboriginal organisation to confirm your Proof of Aboriginality.

Signature Of Applicant:………………………………………………………………...Date: …………………..

Please return this form with your supporting documents to: LUQ Membership Application,

PO Box 3229, South Brisbane, Q 4101

Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation is a registered Body Corporate under the Aboriginals Councils and Associations Act of 1976.

For Office Use Only:

Membership Authorised Not Authorised by the Governing Committee.

Chairperson:…………………………………………………… Date: ………………...

ACTION REQUIRED: Send letter of Acceptance Rejection

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DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to respect cultural traditions, Indigenous readers are advised that this publication may contain images of people who are deceased.

Contact Details: FREECALL to ALL offices: 1800 200 855 from landlines

Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation Cairns PO Box 3229 South Brisbane Q 4101 18 Scott Street Parramatta Park, Cairns NQ 48705 Reid Street Woolloongabba Q 4102 Phone: 07 4041 7403Email: [email protected] Fax: 07 4027 9665URL: http://www.link-upqld.org.au Phone: 07 3034 8444 Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation TownsvilleFax: 07 3217 3458 Unit 21 / 184 - 186 Vickers Road North, Condon Q 4815 Fax: 07 3217 3458 Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation Mt Isa 1/81 Miles Street Mount Isa Q 4825 Mobiles: 0417 097 322 or 0459 028 380

Still Bringing Them Home

Got an interesting story to share? Email us at: [email protected]

• Link Up is a FREE service

• We offer support before, during and after your family reunion

• We respect your privacy and treat all information confidentially

• Link-Up (Qld) runs a range of healing activities: camps, support groups, art, craft and music workshops

• We offer cultural renewal activities and support return to country

Quick Facts:About Link-Up (Qld) - Our Mission

Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation supports the healing journeys of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been separated from their families and

cultures through forced removal, fostering , adoption and/or institutionalisation.

We deliver professional, culturally sensitive and confidential research, reunion

and cultural wellbeing services.

Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation Caseworkers and Counsellors are experienced individuals

who can assist in reuniting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

We also provide a referral service to the appropriate

organisation or Government Department.