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Tribute to Aunty Ann Weldon, AM

Published on: May 2026

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-163992

Tribute to Aunty Ann Weldon, AM

Tribute to Aunty Naomi "Nay" Mayers, OAM

Mr DAVID HARRIS (WyongMinister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Medical Research, and Minister for the Central Coast) (11:05:47):

— On behalf of the Parliament, it is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the passing of prominent Aboriginal Elders Aunty Ann Weldon and Dr Naomi Mayers, known as Aunty Nay. In doing so, I also acknowledge country and the long struggle of Aboriginal people in New South Wales. I also acknowledge all family and friends in the gallery today. Aunty Ann, a strong Wiradjuri woman, moved to Sydney following the 1967 referendum. She later met her husband, George, and they welcomed their daughter, Yvonne, in 1971. In Sydney Aunty Ann helped establish many services in Redfern, including the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT), the Aboriginal Medical Service, the Aboriginal Housing Company and the Redfern Aboriginal Children's Service. She was the first CEO of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

It should be strongly acknowledged that Aunty Ann was a fierce warrior for land rights. She was the longest serving full-time chairperson of the board of the New South Wales Aboriginal Housing Office and a member of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, along with holding multiple elected positions on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Sydney Regional Council. In 2025 she was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia thanks to her tireless work in the housing and disability sector, as well as her role in the union movement alongside the Public Service Association of NSW. Stewart Little, the general secretary of the Public Service Association said:

As a delegate and union official with the Public Service Association Aunty Ann was among the state's fiercest advocates for Aboriginal workers in the public sector and was instrumental in establishing PSA's Aboriginal Council, one of the first in Australia's trade union movement.

On a personal note, I sat in meetings with Aunty Ann and she never took a backwards step. Yvonne, it is obvious that you have inherited your mother's strong advocacy skills.

Aunty Nay, along with Aunty Ann, helped establish the Aboriginal Medical Service [AMS], which became Australia's first Aboriginal community-controlled health service. Aunty Nay was appointed as AMS Redfern's first administrator in 1972, and continued to work to uplift the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people through the AMS, serving as their CEO until she retired in 2017. She was also awarded the Order of Australia in 1984 in recognition of her services to Aboriginal welfare. Outside of her many professional accomplishments, Aunty Nay loved to sing and was a founding member of the Aboriginal group The Sapphires. In the Aboriginal community there is a saying "We stand on the shoulders of giants" and Aunty Ann and Aunty Nay were giants in every sense of the word—fierce advocates, strong women, community leaders and respected Elders. I extend the heartfelt condolences of all members of Parliament to their families and all who have been touched by their amazing work.

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (11:09:04):

On behalf of the Opposition, on Gadigal country, I offer our deep condolences on the passing of those two remarkable women, Aunty Ann Weldon, AM, and Dr Naomi "Auntie Nay" Mayers, OAM, who both passed away over the Easter weekend and have left an enduring legacy across New South Wales. I also acknowledge the families and friends who are in the public gallery today. We send our heartfelt condolences for their loss, but we also acknowledge that they continue their fight across this State and country. Aunty Ann was a fierce Wiradjuri woman who will be remembered as a figure who spent a lifetime fighting for the rights of our Indigenous people; for her work establishing Aboriginal organisations, including the Aboriginal Legal Service, the Aboriginal Housing Company and the Aboriginal Children's Service; as the first CEO of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council; and, as the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty noted, as a fierce warrior for land rights.

Aunty Nay, a proud Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman, is remembered as a prominent leader, particularly in Indigenous health, the Indigenous rights movement and, as members have heard, an original member of The Sapphires singing group. Aunty Nay and Aunty Anne helped establish the Aboriginal Medical Service, which is Australia's first Aboriginal community controlled health service. In recent days and weeks, community members have shared tributes about both Aunty Ann and Aunty Nay, two proud and trailblazing women who both died on the same weekend but have left such a legacy through their work. We, as elected representatives in this place, also take this moment to ensure that we commit ourselves to bettering the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across New South Wales, as exemplified through the work of Aunty Ann and Aunty Nay. On behalf of the Opposition and across the Parliament, I extend out sincere condolences to their families, and acknowledge the extraordinary legacy that both women have left behind. Vale.

The SPEAKER (11:11:00):

I thank the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty and the member for North Shore, as I know those sentiments will be shared across the House. I offer the condolences of the Legislative Assembly to family members in the public gallery.