What an auspicious occasion – Kooljaman’s first blog – so let’s make it an Award Winning one!
Imagine living your whole life in the pristine wilderness of the Dampier Peninsula…. well this is Maureen Angus’s reality - the award winning Maureen Angus!
Maureen lives in One Arm Point (Ardyaloon) , the indigenous community that's home to about 400 people, in Bardi Jawi country at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula.
Richard Dinnen of ABC Kimberley, recently caught up for a
yarn with Maureen to discover what is so special about Bardi Jawi country.
Hearing her stories, her commitment to her people and
connection to her land is inspirational.
“I love it here, we can go fishing, camping, cook up turtle
and chat to travellers. There is nothing to do in town.”
She has seen the community transition from red dirt to
sealed roads, housing, shops and a health clinic. In fact One Arm Point’s
health clinic and HACC Program is why she is known as “the award winning
Maureen Angus”. Maureen was named the 2014 WA Seniors Champion for her advocacy
efforts in founding this first ever community care service.
This unassuming elder plays a vital role in keeping the
Bardi Jawi culture alive and strong. Maureen is the “social director”, organising
community gatherings for the pensioners of One Arm Point, Lombadina Djarindjin and
Beagle Bay.
“We talk about what we can do to make the community better,
share our stories and local meals of fish, turtle and dugong.”
Maureen is positive about the future and hopes the kids and
grandkids will carry on making the community a beautiful place to live.
“My mum and dad taught my kids and now I take out my
grandkids and teach them about our law, practices and culture.”
With Maureen at the helm, the Bardi Jawi stories and culture
are in safe keeping.
Hear these
stories from Maureen herself in the video above
