5 / 148 Windsor St , RICHMOND
LOCAL LIFE
PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN MADE
Remembering Uncle Wes Marne AM
For personalised service from start to finish , we ’ ll combine your ideas with our expertise and create the kitchen of your dreams !
25 APRIL 1922 – 31 AUGUST 2024 , 102 YEARS OLD
Let us help you build the kitchen of your dreams !
Why should you buy from Kitchen Corner instead of somewhere else ??? The reason is simple ... PERSONALISED SERVICE !!!
Paul : 0412 874 669 or call 4578 7727
5 / 148 Windsor St , RICHMOND
Fax : 4578 7728
KitchenCorner
On Dharug Country , our First Nations communities significantly enrich Blacktown City ’ s cultural landscape . Within those communities are unique individuals who leave their indelible mark on us .
Uncle Wes Marne AM , a Bigambul man and Elder , was one of those people .
Born in 1922 , Uncle Wes lived in Mount Druitt for over 50 years of his 102 years . He passed away on Saturday morning , 31 August 2024 .
Uncle Wes was a deeply respected Elder , an advocate for Country , a treasured member of our community and an educator .
He shared his love of First Nations culture and worked tirelessly to share stories and knowledge in schools , universities , and yarning circles across Australia .
The Mayor of Blacktown City , Brad Bunting said , “ Blacktown City is so much richer for the culture and education that Uncle Wes Marne brought to all through his storytelling and his care for community .”
“ Uncle Wes was committed to sharing his culture , sharing the traditional knowledge of his grandfather ’ s creation and dreaming stories , and his own learnings from personal experiences of his life as a Bigambul man over the last century .”
Every Friday , Uncle Wes connected with the Blacktown City community through the Elders in Residence Program at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre .
Uncle Wes was a founding member of the Mount Druitt and District Reconciliation Group who , for the past 22 years , have organised an annual Reconciliation Walk and Concert in Mount Druitt .
Uncle Wes was committed to sharing his culture , sharing the traditional knowledge of his grandfather ’ s creation and dreaming stories , and his own learnings from personal experiences of his life as a Bigambul man over the last century .
In 2022 , Blacktown City Council honoured Uncle Wes with the Key to the City when he turned 100 years old .
In the same year Uncle Wes was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia ( AM ) for his service to the Indigenous community in Western Sydney .
Western Sydney University made him an Honorary Fellow in recognition of his contribution as a cultural leader , an advocate , educator , and mentor to the communities of Western Sydney . Uncle Wes was also an Elder on the Western Sydney University Campus .
He was recognised with the inaugural NSW Department of Education , Nanga Mai Love of Learning Award , recognising innovation , excellence and achievement in Aboriginal education .
In 2022 Uncle Wes advocated for the establishment of the Murray-Toola Damana pre-school for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Mount Druitt , keeping local children connected to culture .
Uncle Wes Marne , published his book of poems “ Through Old Eyes ” in 2022 , and his show Fire Bucket premiered at the 2016 Sydney Festival , playing to sell out audiences , touring to Melbourne and throughout regional NSW .
Uncle Wes worked every day in his Mount Druitt community , throughout Blacktown City , Western Sydney , and beyond . He dedicated his life to helping children , young people and their families .
He is deeply loved and valued within our First Nation communities , and throughout the City of Blacktown and communities across Australia .
Blacktown City mourns the passing of Uncle Wes Marne AM , we offer our deepest condolences to his family and our community . We will continue to honour his prestigious legacy .
8 ISSUE 43 // OCTOBER 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT