Thelma Chilly (Wiradjuri, Muthi Muthi, Wemba Wemba and Yorta Yorta)
Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is Thelma Chilly and I was born in Robinvale and continue to live here today. I am a proud Aboriginal woman who has ties to the Wiradjuri, Muthi Muthi, Wemba Wemba and Yorta Yorta nations. My Mother was a Morgan/Baxter and my Father was a Sampson/Pearce. I am married to Sidney Chilly, a Gubbi Gubbi man from Queensland. We have 4 sons and 9 grandchildren.
Tell us what growing up was like for you?
I grew up in Robinvale with a large extended family. I am the second eldest of 5 and grew in a strict and stoic family. Our home was always filled with other family members and my Mum raised others, whom have become my Brothers and Sisters. My Mum Cynthia Sampson nee Morgan loved, cared and nurtured many children. My childhood memories are filled with all of the Robinvale community at a time when we all seem to be together at least once a week at different homes, parents talking business inside and children playing together outside. I always remember the caring and sharing back then. If you needed something, your mob was always there to help.
I have fond memories as a child growing up on Munatunga Mission where our Fathers worked on the Saw Mill and where we would go afterwards and climb up the mountains of sawdust and then roll down again and again. I can remember moving ‘into town’ when they finally integrated the Aboriginal community with the White community.
Our Mum made us go to Sunday School/Church every Sunday and when we went we saw the rest of the Aboriginal kids there too. I always grew up with the Gospel in my heart and attended Church throughout my life and am the only member of my Family to do so.
There were tough times too but the strength of my Mother and Grandmother kept us all together and family was strong.
When I was 14 I moved away from home to go to Girton College in Bendigo and lived and went to school there for 2 years. I missed my family terribly, but my Mother always reminded me of the people that supported me to get there and I should be thankful for the opportunity. I grew up there and learnt to look after myself and became a young adult.
Who are the women that inspire you?
There have been some great women in my life and I have been inspired by my Mother, my Grandmothers, my sister-in-law Susan Morgan and my most beloved Aunty Fran was a beaming light in my life. I always wanted to be just like her. My Grandmother Jean Sampson is the person who instilled the importance of Community and always standing for what you believe in. I remember attending community meetings with her and her fiery drive for justice for all has driven me in my life. I used to write letters for her and attend meetings and take minutes for her. I believe her Spirit is strong and always close by.
What does self-determination mean to you?
When I think about self-determination personally I think of us doing what we must for ourselves. If you want the best for yourself and your family – then you go out there and you get what you want. Don’t wait for anyone to bring it to you, because it just doesn’t happen that way.
When I think about self-determination for our community I believe that Aboriginal people are the only ones who know what is best for them and this should be delivered our way. Aboriginal business in Aboriginal hands. When we have that, we will truly be in control of our own destinies.
What does NAIDOC Week mean to you?
It is strange – NAIDOC WEEK is so important. It is a time to celebrate who we are as a people and to share our rich Culture and Heritage with everyone, but before I started working in our community in a voluntary capacity and in paid positions, there was not a lot of activity. Robinvale community has been so active over NAIDOC week now and we always have a full calendar of events spanning back over 10 years. Last year we had Culture feature strongly in all we did. NAIDOC Week is very special to me.
Can you please tell us about the work you do in Community?
I am a Community Development Broker and have worked with Aboriginal Victoria for over 10 years now. I look after the Local Aboriginal Networks in the Northern Loddon Mallee Region in Mildura, Robinvale and Swan Hill. Our Local Aboriginal Networks (LANs) bring Aboriginal people together at the local level to:
• set priorities
• develop community plans
• improve social cohesion
• empower Aboriginal Victorians to participate in civic and community life.
These voluntary community networks provide a safe and welcoming space for the Aboriginal community to connect, share, learn and lead. LANs provide a critical and effective channel to engage and celebrate the diversity within the Aboriginal community.
Our LANs are very active and provide a number of community engagement activities across the Mallee for Youth and NAIDOC and partnership projects with other agencies, especially local government and many others.
As the Broker I facilitate this process from a grass roots level and broker funding, relationships and build the capacity of our networks. I find my work very rewarding and love working directly with our community.
What future would you hope for young Aboriginal women?
I had amazing Aboriginal women in my life who have shaped me into the woman I am today – my hope is to let their light shine through me and I can have the same influence on younger Aboriginal women in our families and communities today. I hope we have Strong Aboriginal women for our future to emulate the same to our progeny.