“Never before have I witnessed so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students keep faith in their education.
”
Aunty Ruth Hegarty
QATSIF Patron
Aunty Ruth was born in Mitchell, Western Queensland, in 1929. Her mother and grandparents (deceased) were descendants of the Gunggari People of the Maranoa District.
After the family’s move to the Cherbourg Settlement in 1930, Aunty Ruth was removed from her mother and became a “dormitory” girl. Twenty-one years later she married a Cherbourg man, Joe Hegarty Junior, and together they raised eight children there.
The Hegarty family left Cherbourg in 1966 and since that time Aunty Ruth has become a respected Elder working tirelessly to improve the way of life for Aboriginal people. In the 90s Aunty Ruth’s life took a new turn when her memoir “Is That You, Ruthie?” was awarded the prestigious David Uniapon Award. “Bittersweet Journey” - the sequel to “Is That You, Ruthie?”- was published in 2003. More recently Aunty Ruth self-published “Jack’s story: The life and times of a Cherbourg Dormitory Boy”.
Now, in her nineties, this respected Aboriginal Elder continues to volunteer her time to the Binambi Barambah Aboriginal Organisation cultural camps started by the Hegarty family 18 years ago. Aunty Ruth is an author, an activist and an educator and was publicly recognised by the Queensland Government when, in 2010, she was added to the list of Queensland Greats for her tireless campaigning for a fair go for her people.
Aunty Ruth Hegarty’s inspirational message to our QATSIF Graduates.
Professor Cindy Shannon AM
QATSIF Co-Patron
Professor Cindy Shannon AM is a proud Ngugi woman and a descendant of the Quandamooka people.
She is the first Aboriginal Pro-Vice Chancellor of Griffith University and was QATSIF’s chairperson for 13 years from its inception until November 25, 2021.
Recently Professor Shannon earned the title of Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia, for her “significant service to Indigenous health and to medical education.”
She is passionate about improving the educational and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
QATSIF is honoured to have Professor Shannon’s continued support for QATSIF in her new role as our Co-Patron.