Elder in Residence

Introducing Aunty Jean South, Badanami Centre’s Elder in Residence

To assist in supporting students on their journey through university, Badanami’s longest standing Aboriginal staff member has also been appointed the Badanami Elder in Residence. The Badanami Elder in Residence is located within Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education and reports to the Dean, Indigenous Education.

The Badanami Elder in Residence is a unique position which recognises the special place of Elders within the Indigenous society and inturn the local work at UWS. This position is also formal recognition of the value placed upon “Indigenous Knowledge” at UWS. The Badanami Elder in Residence is the Elder of Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education only, and while available to Indigenous staff and students across UWS, they are not imposed. However, the position also networks with other Indigenous Elders in universities across Australia and with the family of Elders committed to working internationally with the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC).

About Aunty Jean

 Aunty Jean South plays a vital role in supporting and helping students to continue to be in touch with their culture during their journey as a student at UWS. Aunty Jean is an alumnus of UWS achieving a Bachelor of Arts in 1990 and recently began a Masters Honours in Social Ecology.

Aunty Jean has a breadth of experience working in high schools and in the higher education sector, which is demonstrated by her strong links to the local Indigenous communities as well as the international Indigenous community. She is also an accomplished artist participating and featuring in many exhibitions and she has been a curator at the Penrith Regional Art Gallery.

Aunty Jean has been instrumental in the transformation of Aboriginal Education over the years and has been an active member of the following committees:

• Aboriginal Education Consultative Group
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Network
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Employment Network
• National Indigenous Elder’s Think Tank
• WINHEC’s inaugural Global Indigenous Elders’ Alliance.

As Badanami’s Elder in Residence, Aunty Jean South plays an important role by motivating, supporting and engaging with current and prospective students, and local communities and organisations to enhance the University’s commitment to further education for Indigenous people.

The role and importance of an Elder in supporting students

Being an Aboriginal Elder is not a matter of age, nor is it dependent exclusively on comprehensive knowledge of history or the means of physical survival, but being an Elder is a quality of spirit that transcends the physical that can be earned only through service to their family and community/ies.

The Aboriginal Elder’s role is one that is highly respected and holds immense cultural wisdom. The Elder’s guidance is often illustrated through everyday life and their wisdom is often imparted subconsciously. It is through the Aboriginal Elders that the spirit of Aboriginal people is kept alive, preserved and passed on for future generations.