Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all over Victoria will gather to honour the life and activism of Aunty Frances Mathyssen, a respected Senior Elder from the Dhulanyagen Ulupna Clan of the Yorta Yorta Nation.
Aunty Frances shared a lifelong commitment to family, welfare, health, land rights and culture.
She significantly enhanced the lives of Aboriginal Victorians through her dedicated community development work, spanning more than 70 years of service and activism.
Born on August 23, 1929, at Cummeragunja Reserve in NSW, to Geraldine Briggs (née Clements) and Selwyn Briggs, Aunty Frances was the eldest of nine children.
On February 4, 1939, she was only nine years old when she and her parents participated in the historic walk-off by 200 residents from Cummeragunja Mission, NSW, over the border to Victoria.
From an early age, Aunty Frances was involved in building community partnerships.
She marched for women’s equality, land rights and Aboriginal rights alongside her children and family.
As a young mother with a growing family, Aunty Frances was acutely aware of a growing disconnect between the services provided by the government and what was needed within her community.
She was instrumental in establishing the first statewide Aboriginal Welfare Committee and was also a co-founder of the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative and Medical Service based in Shepparton, which began from her house using her kitchen and home phone.
“Our mother advocated for the need for continuous improvement and access to services for her community,” her daughter Leanne Miller said.
“She never gave up believing in self-determination and the rights of Yorta Yorta people.
“Right to the end, she was a supporter of tradition, with an investment in future change.
“She has left a lengthy legacy for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
Aunty Frances died on Tuesday, July 18, surrounded by her husband Bill Mathyssen and her family.
12°C