The Story of William’s Ancestors

“That conversation led me down a path of discovery into my family’s deep and powerful history – a line that goes back to a great warrior and tribal leader named Mannalargenna,” said William. “Mannalargenna was the Chief of the Ben Lomond people, part of the Trawlwoolway nation in northeast Tasmania. He was a fierce warrior and an incredible leader.”

We learnt of the hardship William’s ancestors moved through, and the strength of Mannalargenna’s daughters, in particular, Woretemoeteyenner.

“Woretemoeteyenner, also known as Pung, was a proud warrior woman. Pung was a resilient and resourceful figure who lived through one of the most turbulent times in Tasmanian history. As Mannalargenna’s daughter, she carried the cultural knowledge and strength of her people, surviving displacement and hardship while raising her children between two vastly different worlds. One of those children was Dolly Dalrymple. My great-grandmother told me Dolly was a woman of two worlds – both Aboriginal and European. She was educated, strong, and courageous. She represents the very spirit of this year’s NAIDOC theme: Strength, Vision, and Legacy.

“As the next generation, it’s our responsibility to carry the vision forward. To share the truth. To celebrate the resilience. To lead with pride. And to walk with respect – for country, for community, and culture.”

We thank William for sharing the story of his family. As Headmaster Scott James highlighted, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest continuous living cultures on Earth.

“We are very proud when we walk alongside our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students,” said Mr James. “Many of which are on stage today, and they proudly carry the strength of their culture and they share it with us.

“It's a wonderful legacy that these boys will be leading the next generation, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys who will be joining our school in years to come.”

We were also joined by Josh Sly, a proud Biripi, Worimi and Wiradjuri Man from Bathurst NSW. He is a visual artist, educator, dancer, performer, former rugby player, and he specialises in cultural education.

“Dream big,” said Josh. “Your dreams should scare in a way that’s exciting. But with those dreams, you need to work hard, you need to set in mind to work. There’s a massive, beautiful big world outside, once you finish school, just pursue what you’re passionate about, and give it your all.”

Josh also shared his thoughts about kinship, culture and responsibility.

“My biggest message when you see Aboriginal culture within the school, within the community, please see yourself as well, because it is your culture, and we all have a right to have that connection, but with that connection, also becomes responsibility.

“In our cultural teachings, you're either a custodian or you're a guardian. I'm a custodian of my bloodlines, but because I've lived in Sydney so long, I'm a guardian of all the knowledge that's been shared to me. I live here, so I need to respect the country, respect the people, respect the culture. Also, I can share things and show sights, stories, knowledge, songs from this country, I become a guardian. It's not mine to own, but it's mine to protect, and it's mine to educate. It's mine to hold and pass on.

“So that would be my biggest message for you. All of you here today, see your souls as guardians of the culture that you get shared. By your peers, by the Elders in the community, because it's yours as well.

“With that connection comes that that responsibility. So, please don't take it lightly, but also see yourself in the culture because it's beautiful and it's all of you as well.”