House of Representatives - Proof (28 Sep 2022)
Ms BURNEY (Barton—Minister for Indigenous Australians) (09:01): I appreciate very much this new element of the parliament allowing for statements on significant matters. I rise today to speak about the passing and the life of Uncle Jack Charles. I'm sure he is well known to everyone in this chamber. I am very honoured to be able to do this. I acknowledge Uncle Jack's family, who have given permission for his image and his name to be used in recognition of him. I note also that the Premier of Victoria has offered a state funeral for Uncle Jack Charles, which I understand has been accepted by the family. Uncle Jack Charles was a Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man. He was a gifted actor and storyteller, a role model and a mentor. In the many times I met Uncle Jack he was such a warm and humble person. He was a tireless activist and the grandfather of Indigenous theatre in Australia. In his own words, which are part of the transcript of the Yoorrook Justice Commission—he was the first person to speak at that commission—he was a well-known Collingwood Fitzroy bloke, a Melbournian, a survivor. Uncle Jack's fierce commitment to truthtelling was a hallmark of his life and his gift of words. He shared his personal stories with great honesty and courage. In fact, just the other day I was driving and listening to the conversation between him and Richard Fidler on the ABC. It was hilarious to listen to some of the exploits that Uncle Jack spoke about. He actually spoke about how he had broken into a couple's house and was caught. The woman that lived in that house said, 'You're Jack Charles!' She'd been to see him in a play the night before. So they had a cup of tea and no police were called. That was just the sort of person that he was. He was the most warm, wonderful man. When he told the story of his life he offered a window for many Australians to see the enduring pain of the Stolen Generations. He was ripped away from his mother at Cummeragunja at just four months old. He was placed in Melbourne city missions and became a ward of the state. At two years old he was sent to the notorious Box Hill Boys Home, where he suffered years of terrible emotional and physical abuse. He was disconnected from his Aboriginality. In fact, he didn't even know he was Aboriginal, which was the terrible fate of so many children that were taken from their families. He said: 'I had to discover that for myself. I knew nothing, was told nothing. I had to assimilate. I was whitewashed by the system.' Uncle Jack Charles was the first Indigenous elder to appear before the Yoorrook Justice Commission. In taking this step he helped to create a shared history. He gave us hope for a better future based on truth. It wasn't until his adult years that he learned about his family. This is where we see the real tragedy occur. His great-great-grandfather had been part of the Blak political royalty, who resisted government intervention into Aboriginal lives at Coranderrk reserve in Victoria. His five times great-grandfather, Mannalargenna, was a highly respected elder of his group and acted as an ambassador and emissary to surrounding clans. At the Yoorrook hearing he said he had 13 siblings on his father's side and 11 on his mother's. Six he had never found. In the 1970s Uncle jack discovered a passion for acting. With no formal training he began an illustrious career that spanned decades. It's how we all know him. He set up the Nindethana Indigenous theatre company with Uncle Bob Maza, another giant of the story, who has since passed on. He had countless roles over the years, from The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith to Mystery Road and a TV series Cleverman. He toured the world with his stage play Jack Charles v the Crown. As part of the Stolen Generations, Uncle Jack experienced devastating trauma and years of addiction, and he did spend time in custody. He laid bare his personal battles and used his life as an example to others of what is possible. He was inspirational not just to First Nations people but to all people. He was able to harness his own experiences to be a powerful mentor to others. In recent years he was part of the Archie Roach Foundation, where he supported young men caught up in the prison system. I was in Melbourne when this happened. In July this year Uncle Jack was named male elder of the year at the national NAIDOC awards. He stole the show with his deeply personal story that has touched so many Australians. It was well-deserved recognition of his contribution to indigenous theatre, his advocacy for young Aboriginal men in prison, and his tireless truth-telling. In a moving tribute, Rachel Maza said, 'It won't just be the list of achievements that Uncle Jack will be remembered for. It is the person himself. We will remember his smile, his deep melodious voice, his cheeky, disarming humour, his graciousness and generosity of spirit, his dapper dress and snappy vegan shoes, his magnificent silver mane and beard'—and it truly was—'the electric scooter sightings in his hi-vis vest, and the Aboriginal flag proudly flappiong on his back.' I don't know if anyone in this chamber has not heard the duet he did with the great late Archie Roach 'We won't cry'. If you haven't, please google it. He's singing along with Archie: 'I'm here beside you, don't you forget it. I'm here walking down beside this road, I'm here beside you. We won't cry, we won't cry, we will lift our spirits high.' He really did live an extraordinary life and he touched the hearts of so many. He will be remembered as an Australian who transcended incredible adversity and hardship to give us a better understanding of our own country. He will live on in our hearts and through his numerous film and stage productions. As his family said when he died: May he be greeted by his ancestors on his return home. Thank you, Uncle Jack. Rest in power.
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