and helps her with walking technique , and Steve Whelan of Hills District Senior Club helps her with running technique .
The genesis of Emma ’ s involvement in Aboriginal cultural affairs led her to win a NAIDOC young achiever ’ s award at just 10 .
She combines her love of running with her passion for culture , and started running to raise money for remote Aboriginal communities through the Fred Hollows Foundation .
Emma competes in racewalking and running on a national level .
Jody explained her father was part of the stolen generation and as with so many , has no record of his birth , and has spent a lot of time searching for other members of his family .
He married a Scottish woman and Jody ’ s parents live nearby . Her father is involved in Aboriginal cultural programs in schools and The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre ’ s Elders in Residence .
Dance is another love of Emma ’ s – she joined a physical culture class at four , and by five ‘ needed a change ’ so joined ballet !
That led to an immersion in Aboriginal dance which she excels at . At ten she was chosen to dance in a video with renowned dancer and choreographer Chantal Kerr , of the famed Bangarra Dance Company .
“ Would you like me to dance ?” asked Emma . “ Of course ,” I replied .
Emma lay on the lounge room floor prostrate before rising – her steps , hands and arms told a story .
“ I plan cultural classes , give school performances , it ’ s part of my culture ,” she said when she had finished .
Emma doesn ’ t wear her culture on her sleeve , it ’ s worn more prominently than that . She was wearing a black tee-shirt with the bold white lettering : my future , my culture , my way .
It ’ s a family affair . Mum Jody ’ s day job is devising Aboriginal cultural programs through her business Indigenous Pathways and Deadly Education and offering them to the district ’ s schools . She noted there were 93 students of Aboriginal background at the Hills Sports
Emma receiving Young Achiever of the Year award NAIDOC 2021 .
High .
Then there ’ s Emma ’ s music ; she ’ ll be playing a Mozart piano concerto at The Hills Sports High in a few weeks .
“ I was given an electric keyboard when I was about two and it just really started from there , I prefer classical ,” she commented .
Jody chimed in that Emma learned to read music but after she ’ s got the basics of a piece , turning the pages is an encumbrance so she proceeds by ear and memory . She has always achieved High Distinction Honours with AMEB examinations .
Emma is also an accomplished clarinet player and gathered the neighbours for Anzac Day dawn service during lock down and played the Last Post .
Jody said Emma practises for hours and they literally have to stop her , and added how lucky they were to pick up an old piano for nothing .
Emma , ever obliging , perched herself at the piano and began a Mozart piece . The notes were instantly recognisable and Emma , transported , played on for several minutes . It was not opera house standard but it was pretty damn good .
“ How ’ s high school going , have you got a favourite subject ?” I asked .
“ Science . I also like astronomy , geology and physics ,” Emma replied . The obvious thought pops up ; shooting for the stars . Of course . There ’ s talk of the cultural programs planned , participation in the Eels Festival at Parramatta , the bush-tucker garden Emma introduced at Quakers Hill Public School , the lilli pilli tree planted at Blacktown Arts Centre .
The time with this family has uplifted me . I left with a touch of ambition . I wanted to get home , trip over attempting the light fantastic and pull out the triangle and attempt a few musical tings .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 25 // APRIL 2023 9