Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

This week is NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate the history and culture of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I would like to use this opportunity during NAIDOC Week to acknowledge a wonderful elder from my community, Poppy Harry Mundine Walker. Poppy Harry is a greatly respected senior elder. Born in 1940, he has spent his life sharing stories about his family history to ensure younger generations know and understand Aboriginal culture.

A few year ago he was involved in a film project that captured the stories and history of the Tabulam area. They created six DVDs to be used by schools as an educational resource. Harry has also been involved in workshops across Bundjalung country, with the aim of ensuring these stories are passed on to future generations. Importantly, he does great work at Tabulam Public School, teaching language and culture lessons and taking students on excursions. He is also an ordained Anglican Church minister and one of the founders of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

Poppy Harry has lived in Tabulam all his life with his wife Annabel. Their children, Steven, Marty, Tony, Donny, Vanessa and Janine, and his many grandchildren also live in the area. Poppy Harry has many brothers and sisters, including John, Bow, George, Gloria, Francis, Peter and Lewis. It is an extensive list.

Poppy Harry is also an extremely proud descendant of Harry Joseph Mundine. This is his great-great grandfather. Harry Joseph Mundine was born in 1860. He was an outstanding horseman and an outstanding athlete. Many people would know General Sir Henry George Chauvel. He was also born in Tabulam and was appointed to command the 1st Light Horse Brigade. Chauvel asked Harry to mentor his children, teaching them horsemanship and an understanding of Aboriginal and Christian beliefs. This was a highly symbolic position at the time. Harry is still known by many as one of the first people to recognise the value of reconciliation, and was a great example of how both cultures can work together successfully. Harry Mundine married Aboriginal Queen Ponjam, and it is through this line that the Walkers are descended. Their home was originally known as the 'big house' and was where many of the children were born.

Poppy Harry and Harry Mundine have incredible stories. It is wonderful to acknowledge them this week in this place for the community leaders that they were and are.

See this speech in context