Elders Voices

           Having the opportunity to travel the country and be involved with great people doing great work is a privilege but also a responsibly. This was highlighted for me when working on a project about Aboriginal Female Entrepreneurs and I had the opportunity to meet Veronica Williams. Veronica is a successful business woman with life learnt wisdom. Leading up to the interview I mentioned that it was a privilege to meet all the women within this project and get to record a small part of their story. Veronica thanked me but also added that it was also a responsibility, a responsibly to tell their stories appropriately and truthfully.  I never forgot these words and ensure that my attitude to story telling is that it is a privilege and responsibility that I take seriously.
But our Elders are clever like that. Their wisdom is not only the knowledge they've accumulated over the years but how the share this knowledge so that it has the most impact. I recall one respected Elder from my home town of Rockhampton who had this amazing insight into "The Simpsons". 

You're probably asking what observation would an Elder make on the most popular animation series ever? Well, what this Elder noticed was that at the start of every episode the Simpsons are a family, and at the end of every episode the Simpsons are still a family. Despite all the dysfunction, crisis and awful behaviour from family members, they forgive each other and remain a family. "And that is why people love The Simpsons" this Elder said "everyone wants to be loved and belong to a family despite what happens, they're part of a family". I found this so profound, and now I'm fan of the Simpsons.
I'd like to share with you another important message from Elder, Larry Kelly. I met Uncle Larry as part of the Smoke Free Community coordinated by the lead organisation Galambila Aboriginal Medical Service. Like all my lessons learnt from our Elders, this message wise life changing, and I hope you find it as profound as I did Uncle Larry Kelly