Honour for work in Aboriginal community

Sjanna SandalovaGreat Southern Herald

A special ceremony was held at Curtin University on October 6 to announce two Aboriginal leaders as the John Curtin medallists for 2017.

Angela Ryder, of Katanning, was a member of the Stolen Generation and was removed from her family and placed in missions between the ages of 8 and 12.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said Ms Ryder and Jim Morrison were very worthy recipients of the award and acknowledged their dedicated contribution to the Aboriginal community.

“Angela developed Moorditj Yoka Women’s Group and served for 15 years as the inaugural chairperson of the Langford Aboriginal Association, a community-managed group that raises awareness about health and wellbeing issues,” Professor Terry said.

Ms Ryder said she did not do what she did to be recognised, but to enable her to give back to the community.

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“I do what I do because it is an opportunity to give back to the people because I also came from a dysfunctional background,” Ms Ryder said.

“I left Katanning in 1982 and it was the biggest decision I ever made in my life. Katanning is my mother’s country, so leaving behind my siblings was very hard.”

The John Curtin Medal is awarded annually by the university to recognise individuals or organisations displaying the attributes associated with Australia’s World War II Prime Minister — vision, leadership and a commitment to community service.

Ms Ryder said it was a very emotional moment for her and her family when she received the medal.

“When I was told that I was nominated, my first thought was ‘have you got the right Angela Ryder?’ I didn’t expect it at all. My mother, Anne Miller, lived in Katanning all her life and married my father, Edgar Edmonds, who served in WWII and was much loved by the Noongar community, so it was a very special moment when I received that award,” she said.

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