A mural dedicated to Stolen Generations survivor advocate for First Nations rights, health and women’s wellbeing, Aunty Margaret Tucker , was unveiled in Footscray on Tuesday.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas joined Footscray MP Katie Hall, Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra, Maribyrnong councillors and members of Aunty Margaret’s family for the launch of the artwork which was funded as part of the state government’s Women’s Public Art Program.
Named ‘Lilardia,’ the mural by Wiraduri artist Jess Rebel is emblazoned on a wall overlooking Lilardia Park, a small green space near the train lines off Whitehall Street.
The name and the location are not a coincidence, as Lilardia was Aunty Marge’s Aboriginal name and also the Indigenous name for a type of water flower featured in the design.
The mural also features a turtle and a brolga, reflecting Aunty Marge’s two countries (Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri) and a reference to Osway Street, the address in Melbourne’s northern suburbs where she lived when she established the Australian Aborigines’ League, became the first woman appointed to the Victorian Aboriginal Welfare Board and created the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.
A quote from Aunty Marge features on a separate panel next to the mural.
Speaking at the unveiling, her great granddaughter Tania Rossi added another.
“My great grandmother used to say, ‘It does not matter if you’re black, white or brindle, we all bleed the same colour and we must respect each other’,” Ms Rossi said.
