You Have To Listen To Answer Within
A modest lady who works tirelessly for the Indigenous peoples of the world. Often to a point where she is ready to drop from exhaustion. When children are in need she refuses to rest until she knows that they’re settled.
The authorized Elder of the Boon Wurrung Foundation and a woman who works closely with her own and other Aboriginal communities around Australia.
Carolyn Briggs is the authorized Elder of the Boon Wurrung people. An Director and Chair of the Boon Wurrung Foundation (www.boonwurrung.org/) and works closely with her own and other Aboriginal communities. Her achievements in this field are many and include establishing Australia’s first Aboriginal childcare center and being the Steering Convener of the South Eastern Lands Council.
As a youth and welfare officer, Carolyn has worked on Community Development for the State of Victoria and developed strategies for Indigenous employment in the State Government sector.
She is a former director of La Trobe University’s Aboriginal Tertiary Support Unit and also set up the Djawurrung Cultural Community Centre in Bendigo. Carolyn has served as a mediator with the Equal Opportunities Commission and was seconded to work with the Federal Attorney-General as head researcher for Victoria on the Muirhead recommendations to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Currently Carolyn works as a restaurateur and land management consultant.
Carolyn is a very modest lady who works tirelessly for, not only her own people, but for the Indigenous people of the world. I have seen Carolyn almost ready to drop from exhaustion but because there were children in need she drove herself on until they were settled.
Many people who have watched the DVD presentation are unaware that Carolyn virtually dragged herself from her sick bed to honor her agreement to appear on the DVD.
Her dedication to her family during a life threatening incident saw her so involved with the health and well-being of others that she overlooked her own for several weeks and with her usual vigor pushed on. During this time she was not aware that she was not getting nearly enough nutrition to survive. She has so much “pluck” and energy that it was the last thing anyone suspected.
I would like to thank her with all my love for being there for us all to see and hear her powerful but simply put logical words that are in keeping with the humble approach that most Indigenous leaders take.
There is and they have a dignity and a deep rooted respect that very few of us understand. My family and I are deeply honored to call Carolyn and her husband Larry – friends.