Stories from Queensland First Nations Elders (Part 2)

Recorded throughout 2023 and 2024, as part of State Library's First Nations Elders oral history project, this collection of interviews honours and celebrates the achievements of Queensland's First Nations Elders, featuring both short digital stories and in-depth oral histories.

Please note - Users are advised that this Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander material may contain culturally sensitive imagery and descriptions which may not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. Annotation and terminology which reflects the creator's attitude or that of the era in which the item was created may be considered inappropriate today. This material may also contain images, voices or names of deceased persons.

Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA

Born in Ayr, North Queensland, in 1956, Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA is a Bidjara/Pitjara, Birri Gubba and Juru woman, author, historian, and advocate for Indigenous rights.  In this oral history, Jackie reflects on her roots and her extensive contributions as a life-long community representative for First Nations peoples. She also shares her views on Stolen Wages and the importance of Indigenous Australian historians. Interview conducted by Daniel Browning in 2023.

You can watch Jackie's digital story (2 minutes and 46 seconds) below or watch the full oral history (1 hour and 4 minutes) via our One Search catalogue.

Wilma Reading

From the 1960s to the 1980s, Cairns-born singer Wilma Reading was an international star, touring the world and performing with Duke Ellington, as well as being the first-ever Australian guest on The Johnny Carson Show. Wilma was inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2019 and continues to be deeply involved in the local music community, inspiring First Nations musicians to follow their dreams. Interview conducted by Dr Andrew Butt in 2023.

You can watch Wilma's digital story (1 minute 46 seconds) below or view the full oral history (1 hour and 15 minutes) via our One Search catalogue.

Wayne Coolwell

A Munanjali/Wangerriburra man, Wayne Coolwell has spent most of his working life in communications and the media. Wayne was a well-known sports journalist and broadcaster on radio and television with the ABC for 15 years. He was especially recognised for his role as presenter and producer of the national First Nations news and cultural affairs program Speaking Out. In this interview, Wayne reflects on his career, racism in the media, and looks back on how the 1990s was a powerful decade for First Nations peoples. Interview conducted by Douglas Watkins in 2023.

You can watch Wayne's digital story (2 minute 3 seconds) below or view the full oral history (1 hour and 2 minutes) via our One Search catalogue.

Uncle William Lowah

Torres Strait Islander, Uncle Samuel William Belza Lowah has been prominent in social justice and community organisations for more than 30 years, working in the areas of Indigenous health, housing and education. Uncle Bill is a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, established as a result of a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Bill was also appointed as a member of the Indigenous Advisory Council to the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. He is passionate about informing Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples about their rights, as well as keeping their culture strong. In this interview, Uncle Bill talks about his childhood in Cairns; his work with the National Aboriginal Conference; the failed 1979 Treaty between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal peoples and about his love of words and poetry. This interview was conducted by Rhianna Patrick, 31 March 2023.

You can watch Uncle William's digital story (2 minute 22 seconds) below or view the full oral history (2 hour and 8 minutes) via our One Search catalogue.

William Busch

Born in Mapoon in 1938, William Busch worked on pearling boats in the Torres Strait in the 1950s and as a linesman on Cape York in the 1960s. William subsequently worked as a driller and as a railway load station supervisor at Andoom for Comalco. William contributed in public life to the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council as deputy mayor, the Cape York Land Council board and other organisations. In this oral history, William talks about how his ancestors first went to Mabuiag Island and then to Mapoon, his early life, and the formation of the Cape York Land Council and his two year stint as deputy Mayor in Mapoon. This interviewed was conducted by Geoff Wharton in 2023.

You can watch William's digital story (2 minute 1 second) below or view the full oral history (1 hour and 13 minutes) via our One Search catalogue.

Aunty Denise Proud

Born in Wakka Wakka country, Cherbourg, Auty Denise Proud has been involved in early childhood education since the 1960s. She has also worked as a cultural advisor in Queensland Corrections and has extensive experience across the broad spectrum of community services. She is a board member of Reconciliation Queensland and an Honorary Senior Fellow of the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her work involved setting up the first kindergarten at Cherbourg and working extensively in prisons to provide cultural support to incarcerated youth and males. The interview was conducted by Dean Saffron in 2024.

You can watch Aunty Denise's digital story (2 minutes 23 seconds) below or view the full oral history (47 minutes) via our One Search catalogue.

You can find more interviews with Queensland First Nations Elders on our previous blog post, Stories from Queensland First Nations Elders (Part 1)

Further reading

• First Nations collections held by State Library of Queensland
• In their own words - Stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (blog article)