INFORM-ACTION
Issue
Number 44 - June
2002
Lest
we forget
or, rather, when do we start remembering?
May
2002 saw the departure from this life of some significant Australians.
On 16 May, Alec Campbell, who was the sole surviving digger
of the Gallipoli Campaign, departed this life. The country
came to a standstill and flags flew at half-mast for his State
Funeral - a funeral with full military honours. The day after,
Jack Lockett, Australia's oldest man and oldest war veteran,
died. Another State Funeral followed.
No one doubts the
value and significance of these two men's lives and their contribution
to the nation. However, one does wonder about the 'fanfare',
when two significant women also died at around the same time
and were buried with none of the state-funded ceremony. Christina
Cock, 114 years old, Australia's oldest citizen, passed away
on 24 May, and Brisbane Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Janey Arnold,
in her mid-nineties, passed away on 17 May. The Prime Minister,
Premiers, Archbishops and other civic and political dignitaries
were largely absent at the funeral of these two women.
Crikey commented
recently that the policy of State Funerals is definitely
weighted in favour of men. Very few women have been honoured
in this way. Dame Roma Mitchell, who died in 2000, was accorded
a State Funeral in recognition of her position as a former
Governor of South Australia. In NSW, the last women to be so
honoured was the poet, Dame Mary Gilmore, who died in 1962.
State Funerals for women are as rare as hen's teeth.
This highlights how
in many aspects of life women, especially old women, are rendered
invisible.
The longevity of two old soldiers finally won them an honoured and symbolic
place in the mainstream discourse. In contrast, two old women remained on the
margins, even though their contribution to the nation was equally significant.
We honour some, 'lest we forget' their contribution, but at the same time we
are hard pressed to even remember the contribution of others!
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Honouring
Aunty Janey Arnold
(Recently
deceased Aboriginal Elder)
Aunty Janey
Arnold epitomized the struggle of Aboriginal people,
especially those in Queensland who, like her, lived under
the notorious Queensland Acts. Her grit, determination,
unselfishness and passion forged paths towards greater
freedom and equality. She was a founding member of most,
if not all, the Indigenous services in South East Queensland.
She fed the hungry, housed the homeless and visited the
prisoners. She was a woman who overcame oppression in
her own life. She was born in poverty, moved around Queensland
by the Protection policies of the Queensland Government,
had her wages controlled and endured family separation.
She was an eminent Elder. We all thought that Aunty Janey
would live forever. Her sudden death left many shocked
and bereft. Thank you Aunty Janey for leading the way.
Lest
We Forget!
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