Tireless worker for Bundjalung (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

[photo inset - INSPIRING: Uncle Eric Walkers passion for his country will
be remembered at his funeral in Tabulam next Friday. JACKLYN WAGNER]

Tireless worker for Bundjalung

Northern Star, Queensland, AUS
06.10.2007
http://www.northernstar.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3751028&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

UNCLE Eric Walker was the%essence of an elder. He was wise,
highly-respected, passionate about his country and an advocate for
Aboriginal land rights. The 95-year-old died on September 28 and, according
to those who knew him best, his awe-inspiring persona will be missed by all.
He was one of the last speakers of the Bundjalung language and worked
tirelessly to promote the language and culture of the Bundjalung people.
Director of the College of Indigenous Australian People at SCU, Professor
Judy Atkinson, said Uncle Eric Walker would often pop into her class
unannounced to share his wisdom with her students. 
Uncle Eric believed
that whatever people were learning, they should use it to the absolute
advantage of their own community,
 she said. Prof Atkinson said Uncle Eric
encouraged people to find their roots and always speak the truth. He
received an honorary fellowship from Southern Cross University in 1996 in
recognition of his outstanding commitment to the Aboriginal community. In
1998 he and his wife Una were the NAIDOC Elders of the Year.

Uncle Eric commanded respect and Prof Atkinson said that he was held in as
high esteem as the university chancellor at SCU. He also had a sharp wit
and his speeches always captured the audiences attention. Former media
advisor with ATSIC, Phillipa McDermott, worked with Uncle Eric for years
and said he was a great storyteller and a really positive role model. 
He
was awe-inspiring, but really gentle and funny too. He was like a gentle
giant,
 she said. Uncle Eric had a deep spiritual connection to the land.
During a speech at the Wollumbin Festival, Uncle Eric said Wollumbin (Mount
Warning) was like a cathedral or a church.

The NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs director-general, Jody Broun, said
Aboriginal people across Northern NSW would mourn the loss of such a
highly-esteemed elder. His funeral will be next Friday at Tabulam.