Senate debates

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

DR Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Sykes

5:12 pm

Photo of Rachel SiewertRachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—
(a)
notes the passing of activist, writer and poet Dr Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Sykes on Sunday, 14 November 2010;
(b)
acknowledges the huge contribution Dr Sykes made to Aboriginal politics and Aboriginal rights in Australia, from the early days as the Secretary of the Aboriginal [tent] Embassy in Canberra in 1972 to the way in which she paved the way for Aboriginal women in writing and in higher education, obtaining Masters and Doctorate degrees in Education at Harvard in 1981 and 1984; and
(c)
expresses its condolences to the members of Dr Sykes’ extended family and community on the passing of this dedicated, compassionate and outspoken black woman.

Question agreed to.