Reconciliation Action Plan News 

Aunty Phyllis Eva Pitchford nee Brown

30.10.1937 – 19.10.2021

Respected Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder, mentor, poet and activist Aunty Phyllis Pitchford passed away last week on Tuesday October 19.

Aunty Phyllis grew up in the north of lutriwita trowunna Tasmania, as a child she lived on Cape Barren Island and she went to school in Launceston. She devoted her life to her family and community and believed that art, culture and connection to country was the key to making her community strong, as she passed her culture and stories on to others, particularly through her writing. As a poet she described the feelings and circumstances of her people and as an activist she fought for their rights, addressing the injustices of the past and working for a strong future, particularly for young people and for women. She was active in the the meenah mienne (my dream) project, which encourages artistic expression for Aboriginal youth in the justice system and was a passionate and determined advocate for Aboriginal and women's rights. She was involved in campaigning for fairer childcare, education, housing, and health and attended many candlelight vigils to protest domestic violence. Even although she was quite ill at the time, she still attended the Change the Date rally last January. In 1992, Aunty Phyllis received a NAIDOC Award in recognition of her contribution to the communities of Tasmania, Flinders and Cape Barren Islands and has a place on the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2008 for her services to Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts.

On behalf of our entire College community we extend our deepest sympathies, condolences and care to Aunty Phyllis Pitchford’s family, friends and community. The following is a few verses from ‘Aunty Phyllis Pitchford’s poem Sad Memories.

I’m an Aboriginal Woman so proud of my race

But I carry sad memories which I cannot erase

Of so many things from back in the past

Though some are forgotten, there are others that last.

Recognition is happening though advancement is slow 

And we all are aware there’s a long way to go.

In the move to step forward, away from the past

Give Us back our Identity to walk free at last.

As I think of the ‘Old Ones’ I now understand

The pain that they carried for the loss of their Land. 

Though I live with their memories of things that were wrong 

As an Aboriginal Woman, I am proud, I am strong.