A State Funeral Service to honour the life of revered Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta Elder Aunty Fay Carter OAM will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, 12 June at the Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo.
Aunty Fay was a tireless advocate who dedicated herself to Victoria's Aboriginal communities. She played an outstanding leadership role in a range of aged care, childcare and health agencies, including founding several key services.
With the Aboriginal Community Elders Service (ACES), Aunty Fay contributed to the opening of a community controlled aged care centre for culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal Elders. She managed the centre for 16 years.
For close to two decades, Aunty Fay was a member of the Victorian Branch of the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC), including three years as Treasurer and five years as President.
She was also a founding member of Australia's first Aboriginal women's refuge and served as Chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) for 10 years.
Later in life, she was involved in negotiations that achieved a landmark native title settlement recognising the Dja Dja Wurrung People as Traditional Owners of her home Country stretching across Victoria's central plains.
In recognition of her leadership and contributions, Aunty Fay Carter was inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2013 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019.
In 2022, as part of Victoria's ongoing truth-telling process, Aunty Fay shared testimony at the Yoorrook Justice Commission Elders' Hearing about the racism she and her family had encountered.
Whether through her work for government or the community-run organisations she served, Aunty Fay strived for the best outcomes for Aboriginal people. Many have lived healthier and more prosperous lives because of her efforts.
At the request of the Carter family and in lieu of flowers, tributes may be made in the form of a contribution to the Aboriginal Community Elders Services via acesinc.org.au/about-us/donate
The funeral will be open to the public and live streamed online. Further details about the service, including how to attend and view the livestream can be found at vic.gov.au/AuntyFay
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"To me, the word that epitomises Aunty Fay is generosity. She was so overwhelmingly generous - with her time, her wisdom and her work.
"We wouldn't have the Victoria we do, without her."
