Aunty Fae Carter OAM was a proud Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta Elder who was fiercely devoted to improving the lives and outcomes for Victoria’s Aboriginal community.
A State Funeral Service to honour and celebrate the life of Aunty Fay was held on Wednesday, 12 June at Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo.
Aunty Fay, fondly known by many as Guka (meaning grandmother) was a descendant of Dja Dja Wurrung Ancestor Henry Harmony Nelson. She was happiest when she was with her family – her children Wendy and Rodney, and grandchildren Drew, Joshua, Natasha, Neane, Rodney Jnr and James – for whom she always had immense pride. Her son, Rodney, is the CEO of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation.
She contributed immensely to the self-determination of Dja Dja Wurrung People through their Recognition and Settlement Agreement journey over more than 15 years. Her ongoing commitment to realising Dhelkunya Dja (Healing Country) Plan goals continued until her passing.
A highly respected advocate and a revolutionary leader, Aunty Fay truly demonstrated the power of perseverance, compassion and kindness. At the funeral, the Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, said, “To me, the word that epitomises Aunty Fay is generosity. She was so overwhelmingly generous – with her time, her wisdom and her work.”
She played an outstanding leadership role in strengthening the wellbeing of families and reforming welfare programs and services across aged care, childcare and health agencies.
One of her proudest and most recognised achievements was her work at the Aboriginal Community Elders Service (ACES). Aunty Fay worked alongside a tireless and resolute group of people to establish a community controlled age care centre for culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal Elders. It was the first of its kind in Australia.
And although she formally retired at the age of 72, Aunty Fay’s commitment to her Ancestors and community never wavered.
Later in life, she was involved in negotiations that achieved a landmark native title settlement in 2013, which formally recognised the Dja Dja Wurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the lands in central Victoria.
In recognition of her contributions to the Aboriginal community across Victoria, Aunty Fay was inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2013 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019.
In 2022, she contributed to Victoria’s ongoing truth-telling process at the Yoorrook Justice Commission Elder’s hearing. She told the commission about her birth on the verandah of Echuca Hospital, at a time when Aboriginal mothers were not permitted on the wards.
Aunty Fay was a sought-after advisor and mentor, but above all, she was a loving friend, matriarch and a voice for her Ancestors.
Aunty Fay always strived for the best outcomes for Aboriginal People, whether she was volunteering to progress self-determination of her People, working for government, or for the community-run organisations she served. Many have lived healthier and more prosperous lives as a result of her commitment.
Her memory will live on through the stories shared and the next generation of leaders who will continue to impart her wisdom.
“I’d like the rest of the world to know that Dja Dja Wurrung still exist.
We are still here as a People.
We are proud and value our Culture.
We honour our Martiinga kuli (Ancestors), and everything that we do, we are doing on behalf of our Martiinga kuli,
who didn’t have the voice that we have today.”
– Aunty Fay Carter, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder
This article is based on media releases from the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation and the State Government of Victoria.
