Yarrabah resident Russell Barlow’s search for information about his maternal grandmother led him to the Nebo region, near Mackay.
I contacted Link-Up (Qld) in 2019 to find out more about my maternal grandmother, Mary Blackman. The Link-Up (Qld) research team were able to provide me with a detailed copy of my grandmother and her people’s journey.
My grandmother Mary Blackman’s birth was not officially registered, but she was born between 1892 and 1898 to parents Thomas Blackman (non-indigenous) and Emily Graham (Kabi Kabi Tribe). In 1898, after the passing of her father, she and her youngest brother Charles lived in Tiaro and Bundaberg with their mother while the other siblings were sent elsewhere to live with relatives and employers.
My grandmother and her siblings were under the Act (Queensland Aboriginal Protection Act) and forced to move throughout the state to places including Barambah (Cherbourg) and Palm Island, where she remained until her passing. Unfortunately, Palm Island cemetery records only exist from 1968 onwards.
My nephew, Orpheus Blackman, lives in Alpha in central Queensland, and I wanted him to support me on my reunion. Link-Up (Qld) made this possible. It was a long, memorable journey for me and I am very grateful I was able to meet family members I hadn’t met on my grandmother’s side. Orpheus drove from Alpha to Woorabinda, where I reside. We then went to the Rockhampton Airport and travelled by air to Brisbane, where we met with Link-Up (Qld)’s Latia Schefe and checked in to our accommodation for the night.
The next morning Orpheus and I were introduced to Joshua Thompson from Link-Up (Qld)’s Cairns office. Latia and Josh took us to meet my cousin, Fiona Foley, for the first time at the Powerhouse Café on Brisbane’s waterfront before we travelled to Townsville that afternoon. I had my family tree and Fiona found her mother’s place on the tree straight away – it was good to be able to share our family history. Fiona and I also share a love of art, so we shared stories and pictures of our art. Fiona is an artist, and her art practice has been widely exhibited across Australia and internationally for more than 30 years.
In Townsville, Latia took us to meet another cousin of mine, Ian De Satge. Ian gave us a tour of some significant sites around Townsville whilst sharing our family knowledge. Ian also joined us at the Link-Up (Qld) client Christmas party that was held at the Cowboys Leagues Club.
A boat was the next part of the reunion trip, travelling to Great Palm Island on the Sealink Ferry. Palm Island is a beautiful place where we yarned with the locals and family members. We had a lovely seaside lunch before making our way back to Townsville, saying our goodbyes and then heading home.
I would like to thank Latia Schefe and the Link-Up (Qld) team for the reunion and the information that was given about the family, which helped to fill in some unexplainable things. It was like putting a puzzle together from stories of long ago. It was very emotional for those couple of days of meeting my grandmother’s family. It was also a healing and spiritual journey for me, moving closer to finding more of my identity. I thank you for making it all possible and wish all the best for you.
Keep up the good work, because your support helps all First Nations people to self-heal.
Published 26 September 2024.
