Marim Brown’s visit to Cape York uncovered long-awaited answers about her family’s past.
My name is Marim Brown, I am 49 years of age. I am Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. I have six beautiful children and have been blessed with six grandchildren. I am originally from Mackay. I was born in Mackay Base Hospital in 1974. My mother and I resided in Mackay for many years. I went to school at Slade Point State School. Soon after high school, I had the privilege and blessing of starting my little family.
Friends and family are where I heard about Link-Up (Qld). When residing in Townsville in 2012, I became interested when hearing the work that Link-Up (Qld) does and how they helped other people go back to Country and I wanted to connect with them to find out about my family connection to my country. My family is my main priority in life, they are my next line of generation. They’ve also been interested in where our bloodline started and still today have many questions and interests in our ancestors.
I was anxious leading up to the day that we returned to country. On the day of the reunion, I was flooded with thoughts and questions about my Uncle Rex Frank and how he passed. I had many mixed emotions following up to the day as well.
Heidi and Kerry supported me throughout my journey going back home to country.
Going back to Country, I hoped to find out were we from New Mapoon. Also, being able to see my late Uncle Rex Frank’s graveside because the family did not know where he was buried. When going to back to country, to my surprise, we found him. My heart was filled with joy, I had so many emotions locating my uncle.
For many years, my family (especially my mother) often wondered where her little brother’s grave was. Going back to Country (New Mapoon), I was then reunited with my late Uncle Rex Frank’s grave site.
I was filled with mixed emotions knowing where my Uncle is buried. If I didn’t connect with Link-Up (Qld), I would not know where he was buried. I am very happy and pleased to say that my uncle is located and now my family can visit him.
I plan on going back to where my Great Grandfather Harry and Great Grandmother Daisy originated from and to be on country where my mother and her siblings lived. Now I can take my family back and be proud to say we are from New Mapoon, revisit locations where my family was raised and lived, and I am so excited I cannot wait to reconnect to country/land.
I would like to give a huge thank you to Link-Up (Qld) for their support throughout my back to country journey. Meeting Link-Up (Qld) staff members, Heidi and Kerry, has been a blessing.
Published 15 October 2024.
