CHAIRPERSON of the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office, Ann Weldon, will be the guest speaker at the annual Myall Creek memorial service on Saturday, June 9.

The service will be held at the memorial on the Bingara-Delungra Rd, beginning at 10 am.

Ms Ann Weldon, a Wiradjuri woman, grew up learning about her Wiradjuri Nation's history and the other Aboriginal nations beyond the borders of Wiradjuri country.

She was inspired by the matriarchs of her family, including mum Shirl, Aunty Biddy (Pauline Coe), Aunty Moody (Muriel Merritt), Aunty Aggie (Agnes Coe), her mother (Frances Haroa) and her Ninny Wedge (Isabell Wedge).

She has held positions with the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Children's Service, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and the Central Sydney Area Health Service.

Ms Weldon has been an activist in Aboriginal affairs for more than 35 years.

The Myall Creek Memorial was erected in June 2000 by a group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working together in an act of reconciliation.

It was awarded the Judith Wright Prize for innovative reconciliation work in 2005.

It commemorates the unprovoked massacre of about 28 Wirrayaraay women, children and old men by a group of stockmen in 1838.

The annual memorial service is open to the public and those intending to participate are invited to gather at the Myall Creek Hall by 10am for morning tea. Lunch will be available after the ceremony for a small charge.

The annual public meeting related to the memorial will be held at 1 pm.

Patrons of the Myall Creek Memorial Committee are Nathaniel Blacklock and Linda Burney MP.

n For more information about the memorial check out the website www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ah db/search.pl?mode=place_detail&pl ace_id=105869

© 2007 Inverell Times

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