| If you look into the book Heroes of the Aboriginal Struggle (published by The Macmillan Company of Australia Pty Ltd, Melbourne 1987 and printed in Hong Kong) there’s no trace of Aunty Rae – who on 13 of July celebrated her 80 birthday - however it should be there for many reasons. Certainly, this anthology is dedicated above all to the historical figures of the Aboriginal struggle for the human rights and the first warrior was Pemulway who was only a teenager when the First Fleeters erected their tents at Sydney Cove in 1788. He led the battle against the expanding British settlement since 1795 but in 1802 was shot and his head, preserved in spirits, has been sent to England for research. Did they examine the Aboriginal genius who was fighting seven years against better armed troops ?
Click here to watch highlights of the birthday party
The next leader of resistance was Musquito who led the attacks on settlers along the New South Wales central coast. Captured, he was sent to Norfolk Island, and, in 1813, to Tasmania where he was put to work as a stockman for British settlers there. Later Musquito became again a resistance leader in Oyster Bay, north of Hobart. After some years of fierce fight he was shot, captured and hung in 1824.
Another figure of resistance was a woman, Trucanini, born on Bruny Island, south of Hobart. Her dramatic life – between seeking pacific solutions and uprisings – ended in 1876. A photo, taken in 1866, shows her strong personality : she survived three husbands. Some people called her Queen Trucanini.
The next leader of resistance – David Unaipon (1873 – 1967) was born just before Trucanini died. In his time Aborigines developed their own ways of fighting for their rights through the Australian political system. He studied engineering and became also a scholar and an inventor. Between 1909 and 1944 Unaipon applied for 19 patents for his inventions. He won great respect as a scientist and inventor.
William Ferguson (1882 – 1950) , son of the Scottish father and of the Aboriginal mother, followed the struggle for the human rights. He was also active in the Australian Workers Union and was a member of ALP. In 1938 – the 150th anniversary of the European intrusion of Australia – Ferguson declared 26 of January as a Day of Mourning.
Ngarigo Elder, Aunty Rae Solomon-Stewart with her great granddaughter Tanaya. Photo Puls Polonii |
That Day of Mourning, Aunty Rae Solomon-Stewart was five years old (born in 1933). Throughout the whole of her life she fought for many rights, today considered naturally given. She became a widow in 1963, and with great inner strength and support from her extended Aboriginal family, went on to raise her six children. For many reasons, this formidable woman deserves to be included into the book mentioned above. A further more detailed article on Aunty Rae's life and her achievements is proposed during this milestone 80th year of her life.
The beautiful celebration of her 80 Birthday in the Sailing Club in Phillipe Bay, with strong support of the Polish Community and Kosciuszko Heritage Inc., unfortunately has been overshadowed by the tragic event: her only son - Matthew Stewart – was struck by the heart attack and an hour later died in a hospital, joining his Aboriginal ancestors in the Dreamtime. Why so ? God calls sometimes us unexpectedly, because He needs some special persons around Him. Matthew, a skillful artist, can make now portraits of angels and saints in Heaven.
Marek Baterowicz PhD | 
