If Everyone Cared: Celebrating the Legacy of Aunty Margaret Tucker (MBE)

Please note: the links contained here contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We have much to learn about the unique experiences of Indigenous people, and the resilience and wisdom that they have accumulated over tens of thousands of years. Elders are a major repository of such knowledge. Cairnmillar therefore invites you to attend its NAIDOC related event to celebrate the theme of ‘For Our Elders’.

Few individuals have had the impact of Aunty Margaret Tucker (OBE) (1904-1996), who after being forcibly removed from her family at the age of 13, became a fierce advocate for multiple Indigenous issues concerning a more equal and fair society for all, which still resonate today. Join us for a discussion about the ‘Lousy Little Sixpence’, a documentary which details some of the struggles and victories faced by Aunty Margaret.

We are particularly fortunate to have relatives of Aunty Margaret joining us for this event, who will give us their lived experience and/or personal perspectives on the life of Aunty Margaret, and the issues she experienced and fought for.

Tania Rossi

A proud Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri woman who has been raised by a very strong lineage of Aboriginal women who have pathed her way to where she is today. Tania is currently employed with The Koorie Heritage Trust where she Facilitates in the Building of Aboriginal Competency through Cultural Awareness workshops that include the development of awareness of Aboriginal culture and identity, and developing awareness of the strengths of Aboriginal culture and people.

She started at the Wellness Foundation in 2016 as a mentor for girls aged from 12 to 15 then was promoted to Program Manager and Managed 5 Programs to them take over acting CEO role for 2yrs. In 2020 Tania took over the acting CEO role for two years and managed to get the Foundation and community through two years of Covid. Tania also worked for World vision with a Program called Young Mob during 2015 -2017. Young Mob programs offer experiences to Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander students from NSW to VIC. It connects them with their culture and reinforces their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Identity.

Senior Elder Aunty Zeta Thomson

A Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri woman who is highly regarded both locally and nationally. Aunty Zeta’s mother (Geraldine Briggs, OA) and father (Selwyn Briggs) are both highly regarded Aboriginal advocates in their own rights, being involved in watershed events such as the 1967 Referendum, and establishing the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (see here for details). Aunty Zeta is the niece of Aunty Margaret.

Continuing the work of the warriors within her family who have preceded her, Aunty Zeta has devoted her life to community, including (but not limited to) teaching language and culture at Worawa Aboriginal College (a boarding school for Indigenous girls, located in Healesville), being an advocate for Aboriginal prisoners by providing cultural programs at the Malmsbury and Parkville Detention Centres, and serving (or having served) on the Regional Aboriginal Justice Committee, the Koorie Justice Forum, the Victoria Police Koori Reference Group, and the Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee. Since 2006, she has also been a monthly volunteer for the Independent Visitors Prisoner Scheme, reporting to the Victorian Minister for Corrections. Aunty Zeta has also made substantial contributions to women’s health via her roles in the Women’s Family Circle Program, emphasising principles of holistic healing via a focus on spiritual, physical and mental health in the wider context of social and emotional wellbeing. These roles are but just some examples of her tireless advocacy, all of which contributed to her induction into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll (2019).

Aunty Zeta is also a renowned artist, with exhibitions across Australia and internationally, including Melbourne Museum, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Parliament House (Sydney), and as a Melbourne Art Tram. Most recently, her work was exhibited in the Rising Festival, as part of the Shadows Spirit showcase. On top of all this, she was a cultural advisor on the movie The Sapphires.

Date and Time: 11.45 – 1.15pm, Tuesday 29th August 2023. 

Address: 391-393 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East VIC 3123

Parking: There is limited underground parking available, with two car park entrances available via Hall Street. After parking, you will then walk out of the car park to Hall Street, turn right, and access the building via the main doors on Tooronga Road.

Disable parking is available in the top car park. Those with accessibility requirements may also use the elevator available in the top carpark by ringing the doorbell and taking the lift to level 1.

Alternatively, there is free two-hour parking available at the front of our building, on Tooronga Road and on multiple side streets in the vicinity. Unlimited time parking is also available on Auburn Road at the end of Hall Street (7-minute walk), towards Riversdale Road (10-15 minute walk), or three-hour free parking at Tooronga Village, 766 Toorak Rd, Glen Iris VIC 3146 (5 minute walk).

Public Transport: We are a 10-minute walk from Tooronga train station, a 15-minute walk from Burke Road tram, or a 3-minute walk from bus route 624.
Public Transport Victoria’s Journey Planner is very useful when planning your trip around Melbourne: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey

Photographs may be taken at this event. Your image may be used in Cairnmillar’s printed and electronic publications or social media sites for promotional and historical purposes. Please contact our team at marketing@cairnmillar.org.au if you do not wish for your image to be reproduced.

For all enquiries, please contact marketing@cairnmillar.org.au or phone us at 03 9813 3400.