Welcome to our NAIDOC Week 2024 photographic exhibition. Jointly funded by Aboriginal Affairs NSW and Homes North Community Housing, the exhibition showcases portraits and stories of local residents whose contribution to their community has ensured the continuation of tradition and culture through their resilience and commitment to their heritage. This is an opportunity for the wider community to discover how our local community is enriched by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and families.

We thank the residents who have shared their stories so generously and gave their time for these amazing portraits. We also thank our photographer, proud Kamilaroi man Danny Dalton, who has extensive experience working with his people, reflecting their stories through his lens.

Launched during NAIDOC Week, the curation of this exhibition has been a wonderful opportunity for Homes North Community Housing and it will be a permanent exhibition at the Community Support Hub in Armidale and you are warmly invited to visit and view the exhibition.

Margaret is a proud Anaiwan and Dunghutti woman with strong connections to Armidale and Kempsey. Margart was born on Bellbrook Mission near Kempsey in 1940. At 16 years of age, Margaret’s mother sent her to Armidale, as Armidale was her mother’s childhood home.

In the late 1950s, Margaret met her husband to be at the Armidale Showground. She says she was extremely shy at that time. She said she was so shy that her father in-law to be told her, “Hold your head up girlie, you’re with family now.” Margaret says that over the years she has become less shy and more outspoken, so much so that her old father-in-law would now tell her, “Girlie put your head down, you’re too cheeky.”

Margaret says her confidence was gained through a mix of experiences and the enduring love and support of her husband and family. She worked for many years at the Women’s Shelter Armidale supporting and caring for community. In the late 1980s, she along with colleagues from the Shelter, travelled to a conference in Canada. She said that as the plane left the land and moved over the sea, she never thought she would have such experiences in her lifetime.

In the 2000s, Margaret was elected Councillor of the Armidale Dumaresq Council. During that time, she and her fellow Councillor’s fought for Aboriginal rights appearing before an inquiry into Aboriginal disadvantage in NSW. Margaret raised concerns about failing government services that were established to support Aboriginal health, housing, and youth.

Margaret is an inspirational member of her community. She says she is inspired by her culture. She spoke about a time when she met four teenagers from Uralla, who called her Aunty and kissed her on the cheek. She was overwhelmed by the gesture and never expected to be afforded such respect.

Thomas Mace is a proud Worimi Gringai man from Dungog, born in the 1940s. His mother was from Mullumbimby, and her mother was from Dorrigo. When Tom was young, he was told he was Māori, however later in life he learnt that was not true and he is an Aboriginal man. Thomas has been happily accepted into the local Aboriginal community and reflects that he always felt the connection, even before he learnt of his identity.

Tom had a challenging start to life, as his father passed away when Tom was four. At only six years old Tom set alight to an old tennis court and his mother agreed to him being transferred to the Ohio Boys’ Home in Walcha for 12 months. Tom then lived in other boys’ homes around Westmead and other areas of Sydney, before coming back to settle in Armidale.

Tom had full custody of his two sons aged nearly three and only eleven months old respectively, when he met his wonderful wife, Cheryl. Cheryl brought joy and love into Thomas’ life and adopted his sons as her own, and they were delighted to have two more sons shortly afterwards.  Tom and Cheryl had 53 years together before her passing in 2022, and he misses her every day.

Tom has experienced much loss and grief in his lifetime, especially the loss of his wife and two of his sons, but his children and grandchildren keep him positive. When you have a yarn with him, he will proudly show photos of his family and recalls their accomplishments. Tom’s marriage and family are his greatest achievements.

He says, “There’s a couple of things I’d change, but I’ve had a good life. My family has had a good life”.

Barbara is an Anaiwan Dunghutti woman, and is a proud mother of five children, grandmother of 14, and great grandmother of 32. Born in Armidale Hospital 83 years ago she lived in Walcha and Woolbrook, Murrurundi, and with her foster mum in Gerringong and La Perouse. Barbara’s father fought during World War II.

At 17 Barbara returned to Armidale with her Aunty. She worked as a cleaner, firstly at the New England Girls School, then the University of New England, and the Armidale Hospital.

Barbara met her husband, Robert ‘BC’ Cutmore, a shearer and keen bowls player. Barbara recalls happy times with her dearly beloved husband and their growing family, despite the challenges of waiting ten years for available social housing in Armidale.

Nowadays Barbara enjoys raffles at the Armidale Ex Services Club (Servies), supporting her beloved Parramatta Eels football team, and time with her daughters and son and her extended family.

Barbara’s positivity and sense of humour shines through to all who met her, despite the loss and grief she has experienced in recent years. Her close-knit, loving family are her greatest source of joy and pride. “I don’t know if I’ve had many challenges, I’ve had a good life”.

Noeline is a proud Kamilaroi woman. Born in 1941 at Walgett District Hospital, Noeline has five older brothers and sisters. Noeline and her siblings were raised by their parents on Morella Station on the outskirts of Walgett. Noeline says she has faced many challenges as a ‘black fella’.

Along with all Kamilaroi women, Noeline belongs to the ‘Sisters of the West’. Traditionally, the ‘Sisters of the West’ teach young girls women’s business, however, Noeline and her sisters were never taught their culture or language due to a very real fear of being removed from their families. Noeline recounted stories of older women taking their children into the bush, camping for days or hiding in dugouts covered with leaves to avoid the Welfare Officer. The Welfare Officer would visit the station, looking for any reason to remove children from their families.

Noeline looks for the positive in life. She says that growing up on Morella Station was great fun. She climbed trees, rode horses, rounded up the cows for milking and raced her cousins on horseback. She and the other kids would fish for yabbies in the dam, played ‘Cowboys and Indians’, and dressed up beer bottles as dolls.

Noeline says everything she knows, she has taught herself. She refused to do her schoolwork as a child hiding in the water tank instead. Noeline was home-schooled by her parents and as a naturally left-handed child she was forced to learn to write with her right hand.

Noeline has two children, her eldest was adopted and her youngest, Mark lives with her today.

Kerry is a proud Dunghatti woman. Born in Kempsey in 1959, Kerry spent most of her time on Greenhill Mission in Kempsey. She remembers her father having to have a permission note to go into town for supplies and not being allowed to swim in the public swimming pool.

Kerry grew up in a multi generation household with 12 family members, including her grandparents. Kerry remembers her home had no electricity, and they used candles and kerosene lamps. At 17 Kerry moved to Sydney to find work as it was very difficult to find a job in Kempsey at that time.

Kerry says her greatest achievements are her children. Her eldest daughter is an architect in America, her son is an engineer in Sydney and her younger daughter works at a not-for-profit organisation in Armidale. She says that she struggled to raise her children as a single mother and that she was insistent on each gaining a good education. Kerry worked as an Aboriginal Education Officer at local schools in Armidale and says that her work helping Aboriginal kids navigate school life was exceedingly rewarding.

Kerry says looking back she cannot complain, she has two grandchildren that she dotes on and three very successful children. Dialysis three times a week cannot dampen her spirit.

Irene was born in 1963 in Inverell and raised in Ebor. She is a proud Kamilaroi woman. Her mother was born in Walcha and her father in Inverell. Irene has strong connections to the Dunghutti people of Walcha and the Kamilaroi people of Inverell.

Irene’s father passed away when she was only 12 years of age. Grief, trauma and abuse shaped her life for many years. She became a mum at a very young age. Irene says she didn’t want to become a mother at such a young age and wanted to finish year 12 and make something of her life.

Irene has 12 biological children. She has lived a life of mistreatment and now only sees her children once every 12 months. She says, “The man would look after them, and I was only allowed to stay to care for them”.

Irene is a resilient person, she cared for her children despite living with abuse. She courageously made the decision to move from Ebor to Armidale where she has built a happier more fulfilled life. Irene says she is content. She has a permanent home and is safe, independent and sustained by local service providers and she enjoys a strong relationship with her niece in Tamworth.

Irene is a very keen Narwan Eels Rugby League supporter.

At 68, Gordon MacKenzie has lived in Nowra, Port Kembla, Newcastle, and Moree, but always called Armidale home. “Once you leave home you think you’ve gone for good, but it always calls you back”.

Gordon was born in Sydney, where his young birth mother was worried about him being removed. His grandparents took him in and raised him as a son, and he called them ‘Mum and Dad’. Once Gordon was a young adult, he discovered his birth mother and siblings, but continued to view his grandparents as his parents as they had raised him.

Gordon’s memories of his childhood are full of love and support from the parents. “My life was good. I had good parents; they gave me everything I needed and brought me up to be who I am today”.

Gordon enjoyed his childhood living in tin shacks on the mission in Armidale with his family and friends, recalling stories of rabbiting with sticks and stones, playing barefoot football and tennis on the road, and climbing trees. However, times were hard in town as racism was strong and segregation and curfews were part of everyday life for Gordon’s family.

These challenges did effect Gordon, but the strong kinship with his parents and extended family provided Gordon with the confidence to forge ahead in life. Gordon has six sons, and many grandchildren, and is proud of his upbringing and his future generations. “I take life as it comes, and take care of myself, doing the best I can”.

Jill was born in Moree in 1968 and has very strong ties to Anawain and Kamilaroi Country. She is the eldest daughter of five children with an older brother and three younger sisters. Jill’s dad was a shearer who often worked away from home. In 1981, Jill and sisters moved with their mum to Armidale and has lived here for 42 years. Jill says Armidale is home, but going home to Country is a good thing, even if it is only to visit the cemetery.

Jill was a teenage mum, dropping out of school at 14 and had three children by the age of 18. Jill says she grew up herself while she raised her kids, and she is very happy to talk with other young women in her community about being a teenage mum. Jill says she regrets not finishing school and that she has pushed her children and grandchildren to embrace school. She says that, “Our ancestors fought to hard for us to equal opportunity, our kids not going to school is kicking dirt in their faces”.

Jill met her husband when she was 18 and their youngest son has cerebral palsy. Jill says that having child with cerebral palsy was a big challenge as a woman and a mother. Learning how to take care of her child, not blaming herself and ensuring his equality with five siblings was paramount.

Jill says one of her biggest achievements is being 23 years sober. She says her faith and her culture work side by side in her life and strives to be a role model for her children and grandchildren.

Natalie Cutmore was born in March 1971 in Moree.

She is daughter to Peter Gerald Cutmore and Francis Cutmore (nee Morris).

Natalie’s parents moved to Armidale in the early 1970’s. They ensured she and her brothers and sisters kept a strong connection with Moree.

Natalie recalls a lot of fond memories growing up with her cousins, having a happy childhood, showing the meaning of ‘family.’

Her many Aunties have been strong role models throughout her life.

Her mother, being a Jehovah’s Witness has gifted Natalie with the knowledge of the Bible and she has found strength in it.

Despite facing many hardships in her life and acknowledging her mistakes, Natalie feels she has accomplished a lot in her life, but is still walking her path.

Her greatest achievement has been having her seven children and 34 grandchildren, and becoming a strong role model for them.

Lynette is a proud Anaiwan, Dunghuti and Kamilaroi woman. Born in 1963 in Armidale, Lynette has strong connections to Kempsey, the north coast and Walgett. Lynette’s Dad was born in Walgett and her mum, Margaret, was born on Bellbrook Mission.

Family is very important to Lynette. She has four adult children and 6 grandchildren. Sport has also been a great focal point throughout her life. She played tennis, cricket, touch football and hockey, and now spends quality time with her grandchildren supporting them in their sporting endeavours.

Lynette has always had a strong focus on community. As a younger person she worked in community health and education. She says her work was meaningful and satisfying, visiting community in hospital and at their homes, ensuring they had access to the services they needed. Her work took her to Uralla, Guyra, Glen Innes and Inverell.

Lynette has faced challenges as an Aboriginal woman throughout her life. She says that there is a perception that Aboriginals receive government benefits above that of others. For example, if you’re Aboriginal you get a free car, free education, free housing, and so on. She says this myth is difficult and grounded in racism. As a young girl, Lynette attended a local primary school and was put in a class with all Aboriginal children. She viewed this as segregation founded in racism and says it was a great challenge for her to endure.

Lynette says that “We survived and are still here to tell the story. I am a role model for the younger generation, I am resilient, I am strong”.

Peggy is a proud Dunghutti woman. Born in Walcha, Peggy grew up on Mission. After moving around somewhat, Peggy and her family settled in Armidale. In 1998, Peggy relocated to Sydney.

Peggy remained in Sydney for over 20 years, returning to Armidale with her great nieces and nephews very recently. She felt a strong need to get them out of Sydney and away from potential influences that would impact them negatively. In Armidale, her great nieces and nephews have the support of their Aunties and Uncles. They are also an enormous support to Peggy.

Peggy says that her great nieces and nephews are like her own children. She has a very strong need to protect them and works hard to ensure they receive an education and other opportunities to become successful adults. Peggy’s own children and grandchildren have been instilled with the importance of education and she is very proud of them for completing high school.

Peggy’s greatest challenge is ensuring that her great nieces and nephews grow up with a sense of purpose and a connection to culture and country. She says her ‘kids’ are her greatest achievements. Seeing them achieve their potential is her greatest triumph, bringing a profound sense of satisfaction.

Kerry Bulloojeeno (meaning ‘she knows’) Archibald Moran is matriarch and medicine woman of Silver City Aboriginal Reserve, the Mission or Mish, on Anaiwan country. Kerry is fifth generation of bloodline descended from King Robert and Queen Fanny. King Robert was born in 1808 and was tribal leader of the Gumbathagangs when the first white men settled in Armidale. Kerry’s great grandparents are Frank and Sarah Archibald. Frank Archibald is one of King Robert’s grandsons.

Kerry is a traditional dreamtime storyteller. She practices tradition in all that she does, resurrecting the memory of loved ones through story and dance. Kerry says she was chosen as the future matriarch by her ancestors, and it is her role to bring culture back to life. She says she has 126 years of knowledge and experience and has guidance from her ancestors whose footsteps are before her.

Kerry says her biggest challenge is bringing ‘our identity to reality’ because most of her family members have had a mainstream upbringing and have not been taught cultural values and beliefs. Her challenge is to bring family to identity again.

Kerry spent time in the bush near Kempsey learning sacred women’s business. She said she entered “the bush mainstream with English learning and came out with lingo learning”. She said the land and the spirit taught her bush medicine and women’s sacred business.

She speaks four languages – Anawain (Armidale), Dunghutti (Kempsey), Gumbaynggirr (Nambucca Heads), and Worimi (Taree). Taree is her father’s country. Her mother has ties to Armidale, Walcha, Nambucca Heads, and Kempsey. Kerry is a published poet and author of dreamtime and ‘ghoonj’ (spirit) stories.