Page 683 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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Uncle Brown was also passionate about understanding more about his family and his people and was regularly involved with the ACT government’s genealogy project. It was through this project that Uncle Brown traced his ancestry back to an English convict named Tom Brown and local Indigenous woman Clara Woodhouse from the area surrounding Yass.
Uncle Brown was also a tireless advocate regarding Indigenous over-representation in the justice system and was involved in a number of initiatives aimed at lowering the Indigenous incarceration rate during his time here in Canberra. Passionate about passing on his own knowledge about Indigenous history in the Canberra region, Uncle Brown ensured that he taught his family and the wider community about his work. His passion for discovering and maintaining information about Indigenous history will not be forgotten. It will continue to assist in enriching the cultural diversity that exists within our city.
He once wrote:
My grandchildren will probably learn much more about it than I have. They will probably start at an earlier age. I started late. That is what it is like today for people like me. People like my father did not know what I know today about this sort of stuff. And the next generation that comes along will know much more, because they will be learning it earlier, about Aboriginal artefacts and history and all that sort of stuff. Years ago, nobody knew anything.
Today, we honour him for his contribution. We must honour him, as he said, to ensure that future generations of Canberrans continue to learn about our Indigenous heritage in this region. On behalf of the Opposition, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Uncle Carl’s family, including his four children and seven grandchildren. His contribution to our city and the wider region will be remembered by all.
Today, we honour him for his contribution. Our thoughts are with Louise, his family, his children, his friends and the community. By honouring him, we are acknowledging the wisdom and culture that is passed from one generation to the next, and it has been like this for thousands of years.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (10.10): On behalf of the ACT Greens, I join my Assembly colleagues in expressing condolences at the passing of Uncle Carl Brown, a proud Ngunnawal man who was a member of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council and who worked as a traditional owner alongside Canberra archaeologists.
I first learnt of his passing at the opening of the new Kambri precinct at the ANU, where he was scheduled to be part of the traditional welcome to country with other elders Wally Bell and Matilda House. His absence was sorely felt then, as I am sure it will be into the future.
The fact that he had been scheduled to participate in that welcome tells me that his passing was not expected. So I feel immense sadness that yet another Aboriginal man has gone too soon. I extend my condolences to all of his kin, extended family and friends. His presence will be missed.
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