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Far north Queensland responses to the Apology
In May 2009, the State Library of Queensland interviewed people living in Cairns, Cooktown and Hope Vale to record their responses to the 2008 Apology. The sessions were part of the State Library's Regional Apology Project, an Online Public Access in Libraries (OPAL) funded project. These stories build upon stories that were created in Brisbane and Mount Isa as part of the original Responses to the 2008 Apology project.
Eleven people shared their stories. They are:
John is the National Indigenous Education Development Officer for the Cape York Institute. He is descended from the Kabi Kabi group from southeast Queensland.
Frankie DeemalFrankie is a Guugu Yimithirr man from the Thiithaarr clan. He was involved in founding the Cape York Land Council.
Mark is Senior Medical Officer at Apunipima Cape York Health Council. Mark has been President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association. He is of Kabi Kabi descent.
Val was elected Mayor of the Cairns Regional Council in 2008. She is originally from Falmouth, a small village on the Tasmanian North East coast.
Terry is Chairman of the North Queensland Land Council. His mother, Gladys O'Shane, was President of the Cairns Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander Advancement League in 1958.
Estelle is a local Family Responsibilities Commissioner in Hope Vale. Her father was a Gugu Dhayban man from near Lakefield National Park.
Des has been a Hope Vale councillor and helped establish the Pelican project.
Peter is Mayor of Cook Shire Council. He has spent time working around country Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Dora is a teacher at Hope Vale State School and has lived in Hope Vale for most of her life.
Angeline lives in Cooktown. Her mother was a member of the Stolen Generation.
Herman is a traditional owner from Hope Vale. He was one of the community members removed from Cape Bedford to Woorabinda during WWII.
Last updated: 13th March 2012
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