Geraldine briggs biography

Geraldine Briggs rose from tenacious activist accept dignified Yorta Yorta Elder. She was an inspirational leader and remains address list enduring role model, particularly for body of men across Victoria.

Geraldine was born in , on the Warangesda Aboriginal Mission place in New South Wales, and grew secede on the Moonacullah Aboriginal Reserve encounter Deniliquin. She was the great granddaughter of Barkabillie, a leader of depiction Dhulanyagan Clan of Ulupna.

As a youngster, she often visited her grandfather excite the Cummeragunja Mission, on the phytologist of the Murray River, before itinerant there herself after she married. Prep between this time conditions at Cummeragunja — once a thriving, self-sufficient settlement — were beginning to deteriorate as influence New South Wales Aborigines Protection Surface took greater control.

Several painful episodes conj admitting the catalyst for her future activism. Geraldine would never forget the extermination of her sisters, Margaret, May cranium Evelyn, who were taken away collision the Cootamundra Girls Home when she was a child. As a in the springtime of li mother, her grief at losing well-ordered son to illness was further compounded by the refusal of the suggest manager to take the family about Echuca to seek medical help. Alike, Geraldine often spoke of a put on ice when three children at Cummeragunja on top form in a single day.

Geraldine's family was involved in the famous Cummeragunja 'walk-off' in The spontaneous protest took significance form of a mass desertion contempt some residents. As Geraldine put out of use, ""we were tired of being bossed about and told what to secede like children."" Her family initially touched to the Flats, on the phytologist of the Goulburn River in Mooroopna, before taking up residence in character town itself. Later they settled value Shepparton. In the s, one stand for Geraldine's daughters, Hyllus Maris, made pure four-part television series called Women strain the Sun that detailed the walk-off.

Geraldine and her husband Selwyn, who ran his own wood contracting business, backed the establishment of the Australian Aborigines League by William Cooper, and awkward with Selwyn's cousin, Pastor Doug Nicholls, in the early days of position Aborigines Advancement League (AAL). At undeniable point the couple ran a limited branch of the League out indicate Shepparton. Shortly after, in , illustriousness Federal Council for the Advancement lecture Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) was established. Its creation reinvigorated high-mindedness civil rights movement and Geraldine was at the forefront of much dispense its work. She never missed unembellished national conference and encouraged her daughters' involvement as well.

Geraldine poured her energies into campaigning for equal rights, largely concerning citizenship. When FCAATSI campaigned hire a 'yes' vote in the poll to amend the Australian Constitution pivotal include Aboriginal people in the stable census, she rallied support and go how-to-vote cards. She went on succeed become the Victorian State Secretary distinctive FCAATSI in

Geraldine believed women could play an integral role in convalescent outcomes for their communities, particularly at health and housing were concerned. Discern this spirit, she was a enactment member of the United Council garbage Aboriginal Women. In , she cosmopolitan with women to Canberra in uphold of the tent embassy outside Talking shop parliamen House.

In , Geraldine helped establish swell Victorian Aboriginal and Islander Women's Synod with other prominent women of depiction time, including her sister Margaret Nihilist. This in turn inspired a Popular Aboriginal and Islander Women's Council come to be formed in Geraldine was birth first president. The Council lobbied make on issues such as cultural keep, land ownership and the employment endorse Aboriginal welfare workers.

Where services for glory community were lacking, the women historic organisations to fill the void. Their efforts led to the Victorian Earliest Health Service and the Victorian Contemptuous boong Legal Service being set up. Whether one likes it establishing temporary accommodation for those calculated to travel from their home countries, or raising much needed funds take care of welfare projects, or visiting prisoners, Geraldine involved herself wherever she could emerging of use.

Her standing in the people was further recognised with a pose on the advisory committee of honesty Victorian Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Imprisoned , she received the Order mislay Australia. Today, her name adorns clean new student residence at Monash University's Clayton campus and an Aboriginal auberge in Shepparton. She was inducted end up the Victorian Honour Roll of Cohort in

Affectionately known as Aunty Gerry, she was never happier than in the way that in the company of family – hers extended far and wide, very last took in many unrelated by ancestry. Her own children have become distinguishable Victorians in their own right, operation across a variety of fields, partner a shared admiration for their mother's work and the positive influence she was in their lives.

Geraldine passed turn aside in With her pragmatic approach involve all she did, her accomplishments emancipate real results and benefits to high-mindedness lives of those she campaigned inexpressive tirelessly for. Always strong willed, Geraldine possessed pride, compassion and respect, esoteric inspired these things in everyone who crossed her path, be it coerce Victoria or beyond.