Everyone has a story.
Listen to the stories of Aboriginal Community Members. The cultural boundaries of the local Aboriginal community extend beyond the Wollongong LGA. People have connections to La Perouse, the south coast of NSW and other places in Australia.
Click on the people’s names or photos for more information and to listen to their stories.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains images, voices, and names of deceased persons.
Wollongong City Council also have local Aboriginal Cultural History videos:
Dharawal Country – People, Places and Stories Dharawal Country – Mt Keira and Mt Kembla
Dharawal Country – connection to Country Dharawal Country – Bellambi Point and Sandon Point
Dr Aunty Joyce Donovan
Dr Aunty Joyce Donovan is a Wodi Wodi and Dharawal Elder with strong links to the Cobrogal and Dharug nations. She is a respected cultural knowledge holder and mentor. Aunty Joyce shares about her life, family, the Aboriginal Medical Service, advocacy on the importance of education, action against domestic violence and sexual abuse, and involvement with grief and healing within community. She shares a welcome to country in Wodi Wodi language.
Listen to Aunty Joyce’s Interview here.
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Aunty Sheryl Davis/Fulcher Aunty Sheryl Davis/Fulcher is a Wodi Wodi Elder. Aunty Sheryl shares her knowledge of her mother Muriel Davis nee Bell who resided on Hill 60 with her family. Aunty Sheryl shares her experiences growing up and also that of her father Jim Davis and mother Muriel Davis nee Bell and their involvement with Aboriginal Medical Service and Aboriginal Legal service, fishing, and their generosity and care for the Aboriginal community.
Listen to Aunty Sheryl’s story here.
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Uncle Paul Cummins and Uncle Mark Pietruszewski
Uncle Paul Cummins and Uncle Mark Pietruszewski are local Aboriginal elders whose descendants resided at Hill 60 Port Kembla. Uncle Paul and Uncle Mark are brothers and share the history of their ancestors and about their experiences growing up living in Warilla, fishing on Lake Illawarra.
Listen to Uncle Paul and Uncle Mark’s story here.
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Uncle Steve Russell
Uncle Steve Russell is an Aboriginal Elder who is a connected to Hill 60 through his ancestors the Timbery family who later moved to La Perouse. His Mother Esme Timbery was born on Hill 60. Uncle Steve is an artist who designed the terrazzo at Hill 60, he shares the meaning of the design.
Listen to Uncle Steve’s story here.
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Uncle Lance Puckeridge
Uncle Lance Puckeridge is a local Aboriginal Elder who was born in Port Kembla near Hill 60. He shares his knowledge and experiences about Hill 60 and surrounding areas where his family lived near MM beach Port Kembla.
Listen to Uncle Lance’s story here.
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Uncle Stewart Luland is a fish spotter. He shares his experiences spotting fish at Hill 60 for the last 20 years and how he has maintained this Aboriginal tradition there.
Listen to Uncle Stewart’s Hill 60 story here.
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Aunty Sharralyn Robinson (Aunty Shas)
Aunty Sharralyn Robinson is a local Aboriginal Elder born and raised in Dharawal Country. Aunty Shas is a Kamilaroi- Yuin Woman, she shares her experiences growing up in the area and working with and for Aboriginal community in the Illawarra.
Listen to Aunty Shas’ story here.
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Aunty Bev Armer
Aunty Bev Armer of the Yuin Nation has had an impressive influence in the Aboriginal community in the Illawarra area winning Elder of the year in both 2013 and 2017. Aunty Bev shares her stories and the experiences of her life.
Listen to Aunty Bev’s story here.
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Richard Davis is a Dharawal man who was born in Wollongong and grew up in Coomaditchie at Kemblawarra. He is chairman of the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation where he has worked for 31 years following the footsteps of his parents.
Listen to Richard’s story here.
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Vic is a Yuwaalaraay man who has become a respected Elder in the Illawarra. He has been a trailblazer in education as a teacher and school principal. Vic is also an artist and a champion for the preservation of the Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay languages.
Listen to Vic’s story here.
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Uncle Kev is a respected Aboriginal Elder and artist who has lived in the Illawarra area for thirty years. He has created murals for schools across the Illawarra and teaches children the significance of Aboriginal culture.
Listen to Uncle Kev’s story here.
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Sonny is a Bidjigal man who was born in La Perouse where his family were artefact makers. He has lived much of his life on the south coast of NSW where he has deep connections through the Simms, Lonesborough, Dixon, Carpenter, and Timbery families.
Listen to Sonny’s story here.
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Kirli is a proud Gunai woman, an award-winning children’s author and poet as well as a teacher. This interview was conducted by Leland Kean and was shared by Kirli and MerrigongX Artists’ program.
Listen to Kirli’s story here.
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Lorraine has lived in the Illawarra for 47 years. She is deeply involved with the activities of the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation to increase cultural awareness and build community.
Listen to Aunty Lorraine’s story here.
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Billy was born in La Perouse but has family and tribal connections to the South Coast and has lived in Wollongong for many years. He learned traditional fishing practices from his father and has a strong cultural and spiritual connection to the sea.
Listen to Billy’s interview here.
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This is an ongoing project and we welcome your contribution. If you are interested in sharing your recollections please contact us.
Be a digital volunteer and help edit the computer generated transcripts of Illawarra Stories interviews using Amplify.
