Remembering & Honouring Benarrawa Community Members
Read below the obituaries and reflections on those in our community who have recently passed. These beloved community members include:
Uncle Albert Holt
Frank Dingle
Remembering with Deep Gratitude Uncle Albert Holt
By LARAINE HINDS
Our dear friend, Bidjara Elder Uncle Albert Holt passed early on 22nd January at the age 89 years, surrounded by family members.
I remember meeting Uncle Albert in the 1990s, at Inala. He was always an advocate for his people. Uncle lived a very full life growing up on Barambah Mission Reserve after his family had been forcible removed from Springsure under “The Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897”. The act severely restricted the movement of Aboriginal people around the state. Barambah Mission was later named Cherbourg. The act also meant Aboriginal children were educated to year 4 level. Uncle was grateful he was allowed to be a “camp kid” rather than a “dormitory boy” and grow up with his parents.
Uncle Albert’s first book “Forcibly Removed” was published in 2001 and reprinted in 2011. In it he states that when he and Aunty Marlene wished to marry, they had to seek permission under the Act of 1897.
In the early 1960’s Uncle and Aunty Marlene moved to Inala. He was employed by Rheem at Bulimba and qualified as a boiler maker. Then following the recession of 1983 with a severe downsizing of the company, he was one of the 200 people who were laid off. It was at Rheem that Uncle was invited to play golf with friends, an activity he enjoyed.
Through the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES), Uncle was recruited to work at Telecom, Cooper’s plains where he later became a supervisor. Following an early retirement package from Telecom, Uncle Albert went on to visit local schools and give cultural talks. He was observed and offered and accepted a position in a Youth Detention Centre working from 11pm to 7am Thursday to Monday. Then one day the Commonwealth Employment Service contacted him and asked him to submit a resume as they had a role in mind for him with the Queensland Police Service. Two weeks later he was offered the position of Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Inala. He retired from this work when he turned 65.
Uncle Albert played an integral role in the establishment of the Murri Court in Brisbane in 2006 to 2012 onwards. He also played a foundational role through The Searchlight Education Foundation in the establishment of Hymba Yumba, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focussed school at Springfield, Ipswich and Clarinity Education, southside at Sunnybank, Brisbane.
Uncle’s second book “Murri on a Mission, Gunnan Gunnan”, was published in 2014. His third book “Goondeen, Understanding Australia”, was written with Everald Compton and Henry Palaszczuk, with Sophie Church, published, 2017.
Uncle Albert always supported his Inala community events and was a popular speaker and educator at many schools in Brisbane south-side plus attendance at school and community events. Following Uncle’s retirement, he became a participant with the Benarrawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity Group meetings, also attending events of the Benarrawa Community Development Association Inc. at Graceville. Annual events included Survival Day, 26th January and Sorry Day, 26th May, acknowledging the removal of Aboriginal children from their families and communities, following the tabling in National Parliament of “The National Inquiry into The Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families”. He was a regular attender at Elder’s Lunches and Community Conversations. During the COVID 19 lockdowns Uncle participated with us in the Zoom Solidarity Group Meetings.
For the last years of his life Uncle Albert was a resident at The Georgina Davidson and Margaret Thompson Hostel, Morningside. He enjoyed frequent visits from family and friends, outings and days in Inala and at community events.
Uncle Albert’s smile, generosity, friendly and humble attitude are fondly remembered. We are so grateful that he came into our lives and shared his kindness, time and knowledge.
Vale Frank Dingle
On Friday 22nd May at Indooroopilly Uniting Church we attended the Funeral of Frank Renfree Dingle, with a group of other Benarrawa Community Development members.
Frank and his wife Adele joined a Reconciliation Australia Study Circle in 1993 with an interdenominational group and other local participants, at Christ The King Catholic Church, Graceville. This was run by a Community Development Group based at the Catholic Church. Following the Study Circle the group decided to keep meeting and learn more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history prior to and after the arrival of the First Fleet.
The study group became known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity Group, and after the incorporation of Benarrawa CDA, added Benarrawa to its name (ie. the Yagera name for Oxley Creek area).
We have valued the ongoing generosity and input of Frank and Adele over the last 33 years. Frank, who was interested in sailing, joined with the Pamphlett Bridge Sea Scouts, becoming a Leader. No doubt later joined by sons Mark, David and Jonathan. This also led to several events shared with the Sea Scouts, in their hall at the mouth of Oxley Creek and later at the Benarrawa Community House, Graceville.
For many years at the First Nations Elder’s Lunches, Frank and I caught up at the barbeque while cooking sausages, chicken and steak for the Elders and others attending. Frank always had a welcoming smile and was ready to chat with everyone. He will be missed and we remember him fondly.
