A First Nations woman who overcame discrimination and dedicated herself to teaching language and culture so it was not lost has been awarded Blacktown City's highest honour.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting presented Aunty Edna Watson OAM with the Key to Blacktown City this month for her service teaching and championing Dharug language, knowledge and cultural practice. She was particularly active in Mount Druitt.
Aunty Edna began teaching people she knew from her garage, before her stories and skills became sought by schools, TAFE and universities.
Mayor Bunting said the Blacktown City community had much to be thankful for.
"Aunty Edna's work to pass on the language, stories and knowledge of Dharug culture helps the next generation of First Nations people understand their roots and appreciate their identity," he said.
"It is important that Council recognises Aunty Edna for her efforts to help all of our community better understand the world's oldest living culture."
Aunty Edna has been a guest speaker at Council events such as NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week, and her artwork has featured in Council publications.
As a girl, Aunty Edna was not taught Dharug. Her mother chose not to do so for fear the authorities would take her children away.
When Aunty Edna learned about First Nations culture later in life she began teaching from home to ensure it was not lost to her people.
She visited schools in Western Sydney promoting First Nations culture and later developed Dharug curriculum for the NSW Department of Education.
This year Aunty Edna was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the First Nations community of NSW.
Daughter Leanne Mulgo Redpath said Aunty Edna's family was determined to continue the tradition of teaching their culture.
Leanne is carrying on the family business Dharug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation while granddaughter Rhiannon Wright works as an Aboriginal education officer in public schools and teaches the Dharug language.
