The recent publication of the book ‘For our Elders Living on Biripi, Birpai Birrbay country’ is the result of a labour of love for the St Agnes Care & Lifestyle’s Family, Children and Youth Pathways team.

This is especially true for Stacey Carney, the Family Support Team Leader for Family, Children and Youth Pathways, as the book is dedicated to the memory of her late grandmother, Aunty Isabell Moran (nee Ritchie).

The project, to collect and publish the stories of local Elders, began at NAIDOC week in 2023. The resulting book, which took nearly a year to complete, was launched just before NAIDOC week this year.

Stacey says it was a slow process to develop the book but so worth it.

“There is a joy in knowing that behind each of these simply told one-page stories is a person with a lifetime of experience and wisdom; an Elder, who is respected and loved by our community,” says Stacey.

“Sadly, two of the Elders we interviewed (Betty Niddrie and Trevor Roberts) passed away before book was published. Knowing this, makes the project even more precious to those involved its development and publication,” she adds.

“We asked each participant to share which country they belong to, a small story of their life journey and to offer a message to the younger generation – it was such a privilege to listen and learn as each story unfolded.”

“The forty-page book we ended up with is an attractive A4 landscape volume featuring beautiful portrait photography, the stories of 33 Elders, several landscapes of Biripi, Birpai Birrbay country, as well as a tribute to some of our Elders past,” concludes Stacey.

If anyone would like to order a copy of ‘For our Elders Living on Biripi, Birpai Birrbay country’ Stacey will be placing an order to have more printed through Vistaprint in mid-August. The cost per copy will between $50-$75 depending on the number printed. To order, send Stacey an email (Stacey.carney@stagnesparish.org.au) by 7 August advising your contact details and how many you copies you’d like.