Pastor Bill Simon, the first Aboriginal minister to be ordained in Redfern, and Lorraine McGee-Sippel, a Yorta Yorta woman, share their stories of growing up with John Maynard.
Event includes poetry readings by Emma Jones and Elizabeth Hodgson.
EMMA JONES (LOCAL) EMMA JONES holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, and a PhD in English from the University of Cambridge. In 2005 she won the Newcastle Poetry Prize, Australia's largest prize for a single poem, and has been the recipient of an emerging writer's grant from the Australian Council for the Arts, and the Harper-Wood Studentship in English Poetry and Literature from St John's College, Cambridge. The Striped World is Emma’s debut collection of poetry.
BILL SIMON (LOCAL) Bill Simon is a pastor who works on The Block in Sydney’s Redfern, assisting Aboriginal people, particularly fellow members of the Stolen Generations. His story is told in Back on the Block.
LORRAINE MCGEE-SIPPEL (LOCAL) Lorraine McGee-Sippel was separated shortly after birth from her Aboriginal mother and was adopted at six weeks by a non-Indigenous family. Her writing is in response to the pain of not knowing her true cultural identity until 1981, when she met her mother. Lorraine is of both Yorta Yorta and Anglo-Celtic descent. She is currently writing about her personal journey and has contributed towards many publications, including Steppin' Out and Speakin' Up, Many Voices and Life in Gadigal Country. Her new book is Hey Mum, What’s a Half Caste?
ELIZABETH HODGSON (LOCAL) ELIZABETH HODGSON is a Wiradjuri woman who spent her childhood in a home for fair-skinned Aboriginal children in a Sydney suburb. After spending many years travelling, Hodgson decided to settle in Wollongong. She has been officially welcomed into Wadi Wadi country and has explored her Aboriginality and spirituality in depth since moving there over a decade ago. Her book, Skin Paintings, won the 2007 David Unaipon Award.
JOHN MAYNARD (LOCAL) JOHN MAYNARD is professorial chair and head of the Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle. His is the author of Fight for Liberty and Freedom: The Origins of Australian Aboriginal Activism.
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